If there is one area that a majority of
Lymies struggle with it is with the issue of sleep. Despite how tired our
bodies are from fighting this disease they often don’t give us the proper rest
that we need. When I was extremely sick and dealing with Lyme this was one of the first areas of getting better that my medical team addressed. Their tips and hundreds of patient tips helped me start to get the sleep that my body so desperately needed. Here are just a few ideas that may help in your quest for a good
nights sleep:
1) Create a dark Cave. For me light would be a
distraction so it was helpful to have a room that had no lights. Unfortunately
our neighbors at one point used to love their BIG spotlights that illuminated
our yard and my room. For this reason we discovered heavy (dark light lined/blackout)
curtains that covered the shades in my room. This was a huge help!
2)
Eye Covers. There are so many
different ones that are out there so try different ones until you find
something that you like.
3)
Mattress. A great mattress is so
important. Invest in the most quality one that you can.
4)
Soft Sheets. Soft sheets and soft
blankets are extremely important. You want to feel cozy and comfortable.
5)
Pillows. Pillows are a true key
to getting good sleep. At one point I had nine pillows on my bed- hahaha! My best
advice is to search for pillows that are good for you and work for your body
and then invest in them.
6)
Disconnect. Work to turn off all of
your media at least an hour before you head to bed. Try to leave what you can
outside of your bedroom and work to disconnect from the rest of the world at
nighttime. Instead of scrolling on your phone; try reading, meditating, praying
or just enjoying the quiet moments as you wind down for bed.
7)
Keep Necessities Close
By. Keep
a basket of necessities close by to have on hand if you need them so you don’t
have to get up to get anything. This will allow your body to stay at rest and
not interrupt things.
8)
Heating Pad. I have a heating pad
that I really like that I keep stored in the basket next to me. On the nights
where my muscles were really tight or sore I could just lean over and use this
heating pad.
9)
Relaxing Soak. In addition to detox
baths, taking a relaxing bath can be incredibly helpful and relaxing to start
your night off. Add in the magnesium salts and your choice of essential oils to
help you fully relax.
10)
Pajamas. Even if you are in a
stage where you are mostly wearing your pajamas all day long, take the time to
change into a separate set of clothing to sleep. This simple routine will
remind you that you are not just a sick patient, but a normal human.
11)
Fans. Invest in a high quality
fan that will block out all noise. I have found that using an industrial fan
can be extremely helpful in blocking out even the neighbors noises. If a fan is
too loud for you with sensitive sound, then choose a white noise that is
consistent and works for you.
12)
Sleeping Aides. For some Lymies, natural ideas may not be enough help at this stage of your journey. At this point you will
want to consult with your doctor for help with this. Consult with them even for
natural and herbal alternatives that may help with your insomnia.
13)
Temperatures. Make sure your room temperature
is set at a good place for you to be able to sleep restfully.
14)
Set the Mood. In the early evening I
go into my bedroom and turn off my lights and turn on a small lap beside my
bed. When I am ready for bed I enter a room that is soft with a warm and
welcoming glow which sets the mood for peaceful sleep.
15)
Candles. Similar to number 14,
some people light candles in the early evening in their bedroom.
16)
Say goodbye to work at
the door. I
admit that when I was teaching I struggled with this one as I would bring in
just “one more essay” into my room to finish before I fell asleep. This continued into my health journey as I would consider working on "just one more chapter" for a book. I learned quickly this is not very restful. Keep your
bedroom as your sanctuary and leave work at the door.
17)
Avoid Eating. So many people eat right
before they go to bed which wakes up your metabolism. Avoid eating at least an
hour before bedtime, which will help your body rest well.
18)
Separate Sheets. If you are really
struggling with sleep and your partner is stealing those sheets every night,
consider getting two king sheets to use on your bed – one for each of you. This
will reduce the sheet wars at night and help you fully relax.
19)
Separate Beds. I know that for some
people in their journey with Lyme there has been times where having a separate
bed from their partner becomes necessary. Try to be creative in keeping your
beds in the same room to stay connected, but if sleep is truly an issue than consider
this as a temporary suggestion.
*Please note that the #whenthealphabetrunsgreen book chapters are part of a special offering of 20 free chapters from Rebecca's upcoming book, When the Alphabet Runs Green, which will be available on December 6th on Amazon and where books are sold. These chapters may NOT be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of the author. **
To read additional chapters from #whenthealphabetrunsgreen click HERE!
To read additional chapters from #whenthealphabetrunsgreen click HERE!
Updated March 2019: At this time "When the Alphabet Runs Green" book project is on hold. More details will be forthcoming in the months ahead and I appreciate your patience with this change!
In the meantime, thank you so much for all of your continued support of ALL of my writing and books! If you are interested in reading one of my books and leaving an honest review please contact me for a free book!
Rebecca's Lyme Disease Books:
// When Truth Refreshes //
Rebecca's Lyme Disease Books (Other Language Translations):
*Praying through Lyme Disease has also been translated into Polish, French, German, Arabic, along with several other translations. If you would like more information on these resources until they become available for purchase on Amazon, please let me know by emailing me at: caravansonnet@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest!*
Everyone has their vacation destination of choice. Some people prefer to spend a week lying on the soft sand of a beach. Others like to get lost in the mountains. Others yet, like to glam it up and spend their time away from work enjoying all the riches of the world’s finest cities. All three of these types of vacation require different items in the luggage bag. Below, we take a look at what you’ll need to have if you’re visiting a city in order to get the most out of your trip.
Source: Pexels.com
Long Time Walking
A trip to the city is about relaxation...but you’ll have to carve it out. It’s more about luxury relaxation. By that, we mean going to see the spa or getting a massage; you might find it difficult to naturally find a relaxed space just as you’re exploring. Because for sure, exploring is what you’ll be doing. You’re going to be walking a lot, so make sure you have shows that feel extra comfortable! While you’ll want to take some extra shoes for any nights out you’ll have (more on them later), for the most part, your footwear should be all about navigating the streets for hours at a time.
Changing Weather
If you go to the mountains, you’ll know that you’re going to spend the majority of your time outdoors. If you go to a beach destination, you’ll be sure of getting great weather. But the city? That’s different. They didn’t plonk cities where there was good weather; other concerns were at play. As such, places like New York, London, San Francisco, Paris, they all get their fair share of poor weather. The people who live there get on with it, and if you want to make the most of your trip even when the rain is falling, so will you. Pack some waterproof clothing.
A Classy Night Out
World-class cities have the best restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in the world, and you’ll want to check them out while you’re there. But it’s understandable that people are a little bit intimidated by these cool and trendy places...everyone dresses so well! The good news is that if you pack the right clothing, you can not just fit in; you can stand out. Make sure you’re packing a couple of boutique dresses, nice shoes, clutch bags, and the makeup you need to look your best. You’ll have a great night.
Accessories
Accessories play a bigger role in the cities than they do in other destinations. A travel guide for the city will point you to the best places; a backpack will help you to take all the supplies you need out for the day, and a camera will capture those awesome one-off moments that only happen in thriving cities.
And finally...make sure you’re packing “space” into your luggage. Don’t overfill it with the items you already own when there are so many awesome shopping opportunities where you’re going. You will buy a lot!
This may be a contributed post but all of the thoughts I agree with and match the tone of my blog.
*sponsored post*
I snapped this picture right before I got back in a car today...and had some tears. I don't think I will ever view getting in a car the same way again.
As some of you are aware, yesterday afternoon I was involved in a serious car accident on the way home from lunch with a sweet friend. Unfortunately, a motorcyclist lost control of their bike, came over into my lane, and hit my car... thankfully the motorcyclist is going to be okay but please pray for complete healing for her- physically and emotionally. Her friends shared it was her first ride with them so I am sure this has been difficult and traumatic for her.
I would also appreciate prayers as I am bruised and sore and emotionally... shook up a bit...and still in some shock. Words can't express my gratitude for the kindness of friends and loved ones who helped immediately and were on the phone with me and checking in afterwards and today, strangers (AMAZING people who were so incredibly kind), the rescue crews (who went above and beyond helping people- even changing my tire!!), the police and the ferry crew that came to help.
This weekend, in the midst of sadness in our world, I have been gently reminded of how good people are.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and love and all of the kind messages. Life is so fragile...and I am once again reminded of how precious time and words are. So... thank you...I am so blessed to have each of you in my life.
In these moments when accidents like this happen- have you ever wondered what you could do with a totaled car? Or wondered who would purchase your car? Check this out HERE y'all if you are in this situation and needing some direction!
Happy Saturday friends! Today I am so excited to share the newest junk journal that is now available in the shop! This adorable How Does Your Garden Grow Junk Journal is now available for purchase! (You can find it HERE!)
If y'all have been around this blog for a bit of time you know how much I love creating different and unique journals and altered books. I started creating what is now commonly referred to as "junk journals" years ago, often giving them as gifts, but have never added them to the shop until this year. These beautiful and unique journals are the perfect way to grab onto ordinary moments or days and remember special times in life.
I found this popular vintage "How Does Your Garden Grow?" in an antique book store back in the early winter and was so excited to use it to create a special Junk Journal. I fell in love with the precious pictures, the detailed illustrations, and the vibrant colors.
As I shared on the blog back in April a bit about the background of December Caravan and where it is heading, (you can read about it HERE if you are interested), I knew that one of the things I wanted to include in the expansion of the shop were tag and junk journals. Tag and Junk journals are perfect for celebrating the special and the ordinary days in your life or to give as a gift to someone.
This Vintage How Does Your Garden Grow Junk Journal contains approximately 75 pages that includes gorgeous original book pages, vintage paper, pages from a vintage garden book, washi tape, and quality coordinating and garden and nature themed scrapbook paper. You can easily add in pictures, your own ephemera (or choose the option for me to add in some before you receive your junk journal), and quick notes so that you can remember the special days forever.
If you are interested in this Vintage How Does Your Garden Grow Junk Journal can find it HERE. Or if you are interested in looking at other tag and junk journals that are available in the shop you can find them in the tag and junk journal section HERE.
Want to see a video of this sweet junk journal? Find it on the shops instagram page by clicking HERE! Happy Saturday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful day with friends and family!! And J- Happy Birthday!!... you are my favorite ;)
So here's my favorite things about
visiting Breckenridge in the summer:
1. The weather.
Summer weather in Breckenridge is
heavenly. Or at least it’s what I imagine heaven will be like. 😊 The highs are in the seventies, and the sun rays will feel
warm when they hit you. (You might want to pack sunscreen—our sun is intense.)
And then, at night, it cools down enough to make you feel like you’re sleeping
inside of a refrigerator just because you left your window open with a fan
blowing the cool mountain air inside. The evenings are that perfect temperature
that slides along your skin and feels just right. A sweatshirt or sweater might
be necessary depending on how cold you get. We live in the state of Colorado,
and Breckenridge is almost always cooler than our city. It’s the perfect escape
from the summer heat.
2. Lots of lodging options.
Whether you want a hotel room, a
condo or a house, Breckenridge has all the options. Look for a place that you
can walk into town from or that has a free shuttle. Many of the lodges and
hotels have their own shuttles, and there’s also a free city bus that you can
hop on. Take advantage of these offers because parking can be tough in town. If
you do decide to stay off the beaten path, it will save you some money, but
just know you’ll have the trade-off of having to find parking when you do
meander into town.
We recently stayed at the Wedgewood
Lodge, and it was a favorite for our family. It’s a little older but very
clean, and some of the rooms have large (shared) patios. We could still walk into
town easily with our kids, or we could jump on the bus for free. They have rooms
ranging from studio up to three bedrooms—a great option if you’re traveling
with family or friends. The unit we stayed in was a one bedroom with a loft for
the kids. They loved it, and the spiral staircase up to the loft was a hit. It
also had a full kitchen, so we could prepare food in the room if we wanted to. The
price was very good—equal to what we might have paid for a hotel room on Main
Street. I’d definitely stay at the Wedgewood Lodge again. Just a note—The
Wedgewood Lodge is quietly run in the summer, meaning the staff are not on all
night. They’ll leave you your key if you’re going to be arriving after hours.
Overall, this didn’t pose a problem for us.
Many lodging places in Breckenridge
have heated pools and hot tubs, so even if the weather dips and gets chilly,
you'll still have that built in family activity. Most lodging will not,
however, have air conditioning. During a warm day, this might cause you to worry.
But once the temperatures drop in the evening, you'll see that it cools down
enough at night and that a cross breeze and a fan create the perfect sleeping
temperature.
3. Lake Dillon.
What’s not to love about a lake nestled
in the mountains? Lake Dillon is gorgeous, but it’s not a swimming lake due to
the chilly year-round temps. You can, however, rent a boat or bring your own.
Kayaks or canoes are available for rent at the Frisco marina. We have an
inflatable kayak, and the kids and I enjoyed taking a few trips out on the
water. The marina has a playground for those with kiddos, and on the other side
of the lake—at the Dillon marina—there’s a playground on top of the hill with fantastic
views of the whole lake and the mountains. It’s really gorgeous and our kids
always ask to stop at it.
There’s also a Summit shuttle water
taxi that comes and goes from one marina to the other. We’ve biked from Frisco
over to Dillon before and then loaded our bikes onto the water shuttle for a
quick trip back to our car. It’s a fun way to take a little boat ride without
having to rent one.
4. Now let’s move on to eating—my
favorite pastime! 😊
I would honestly drive to
Breckenridge just for the baked wings at Downstairs at Eric’s. They’re amazing.
Truly. My mouth is watering just writing about them! And the pizza is fabulous
too. Whether you're in town in the winter or the summer, this is a great place
to go with the kids because there's an arcade downstairs. You can sit and have
a drink and the kids can spend their pocket full of quarters. It's a win-win.
Especially if it’s freezing outside or raining like it was when we were last
there.
Treats are another favorite of mine.
Crepes A La Cart is a famous stop in Breck. The line is always super long, but
they recently opened a new location on South Ridge Street. So check that out if
you want to avoid the lines.
Kava Café makes fresh mini donuts,
and they offer a variety of sugary toppings. They’re only open until 1 p.m., so
if you don’t make it in time for breakfast, pop in and grab a bag or two as a
treat. Your taste buds will thank you.
5. Free things to do.
Breckenridge is full of free things
to do. There is a river that runs parallel to Main Street. It’s nicely maintained,
and kids love to climb on the rocks and check out the water. Breckenridge
Alpine Garden is also right along the water—definitely worth a walk through. There’s
a bridge across the river where you can put in a quarter and grab a handful of
fish food, then watch them vie for it as you toss it into the water. There’s
also a famous rock in the plaza—families have been poking their heads through
and taking photos for years, and we’re no exception.
On Main Street they have various
historical places—homes and other buildings/remnants that are on the historical
registry. It's fun to wander around and see some of those or happen upon them.
Riding the Gondola is also free. It
takes you up the mountain and back down, offering gorgeous views.
Hiking is plentiful in Breckenridge.
For an easy family hike check out Sawmill Reservoir Trail. It’s roughly 1.5
miles, follows along a mountain stream and leads to a reservoir. Our ten year
old son did this one with us and didn’t complain once.
Ah, Breckenridge! I love the beauty
and the small town feel combined with plenty of options for things to do. It’s one
of my top picks for Colorado mountain towns. What’s yours?
Jill Lynn Buteyn is a co-author of Just Show Up with Kara Tippetts, and she also writes small-town happily ever afters filled with humor, grace and faith. She lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children and can be found online at Jill-Lynn.com or on Facebook and Instagram @JillLynnAuthor. Her latest release, The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter, is available now.
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A HUGE thank you to Jill for sharing today on the blog!! After reading this post I have added Breckenridge as a place to visit in the summer!! Thank you again Jill for sharing! As I mentioned on Wednesday Jill is the author of the The Rancher's Surprise Daughter and she is giving a SPECIAL giveaway to one lucky winner: a SIGNED copy of this book! It is so easy to enter the giveaway and it will let you connect with Jill in a variety of social media ways! Go enter now - the giveaway will be live through Sunday Evening at 11pm EST (and come back each day as you can earn entries each day!) Good Luck!!
As a solo traveller, you are free to explore the world as you please. With no travelling companions holding you back from doing what you want, you can go on an epic journey alone almost anywhere. We say 'almost,' because let's face it; some places are probably not safe to visit by yourself. Take a look at this list for some of the areas that you should think twice about visiting if you are on your lonesome.
Safety is key, and while visiting any new area can be intimidating, there are some places in the world that are perfect for anybody travelling alone. We will list some of them here, so after reading our tips for solo travel, add one of the following places to your bucket list.
Singapore
|
| Singapore at night (image) |
Not only is Singapore safe, but it's also considered one of the cleanest places to visit in the world too! Perfect for those of you who place hygiene as a priority when choosing where to travel. Thankfully, for the solo traveller, English is one of the main languages here, so you don't need to worry too much about learning the lingo. And it's a great place for long-term travel too. If you are looking to visit other parts of Asia, it's worth renting a place in one of the local towns. We favour Paya Lebar for accommodation diversity, as well as the fantastic shopping and entertainment options nearby. Check out these Paya Lebar area facts for more information.
Still, wherever you decide to visit in Singapore, you are guaranteed a great time. Old and new collide, with ethnic areas such as Chinatown sitting comfortably with the modern architecture filling the country's skylines. Despite being a relatively small island, there is a rich cultural heritage here, from Chinese to Malayan. This greatly enhances your experience, as you can not only learn more about these different cultures, but you also have a diverse selection of shopping experiences and tastes to try. And for flora and fauna enthusiasts, there is so much green, from beautiful eco-attractions, including the Botanic Gardens, to places ripe for exploration, such as the jungles of Pulau Ubin. Come for the safety and cleanliness, stay for the cultural hotspots and incredible natural beauty.
Rome
 |
| Trevi Fountain (image) |
What's not to love about Rome? This is the city of romance, as you will know if you have seen such films as Roman Holiday with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. You arrive in Rome on your lonesome, and you may leave Rome with a loved one by your side. Or you may never leave at all! From the famous Trevi Fountain (throw a coin and make a wish), to the lush Pincio Gardens, these are some of the most romantic places to visit in Rome. Still, even without a marriage proposal (if that's what you come for), there are other reasons to spend time here. There are the awe-inspiring ancient landmarks, such as the Pantheon and the Coliseum. You can visit the Pope at The Vatican City. And you can tour the city's art museums and fashion high spots (this is the birthplace of Giorgio Armani and Donatella Versace) in the day, and spend time at the fabulous piazzas with its bars and diners at night, all in relative safety as you soak up the vibrant and laid-back culture of this magnificent city.
Iceland
 |
| The Northern Lights (image) |
Iceland has been classified as the safest place to travel in the world, so no matter where you visit in the country, you can sleep safely at night knowing no harm will come to you. Well, it can get a little chilly so there's no escape from Jack Frost, but other than that weathered miscreant, you are perfectly safe. But other than safety, why visit? Well, thanks to the never-ending daylight over the summer, you have plenty of time to explore the region, with all of it's incredible locations. Iceland is absolutely beautiful, with the incredible Northern Lights which are visible from the end of September to the start of April, as well as the black sands of the East Fjords, the geothermal wonder that is the Blue Lagoon, and the country's famous glaciers. There are adventure trails aplenty, waterfalls to stand in awe against (perfect for your Instagram pics), and ice caves to explore. And yes, there are all the usual shopping places to visit, but let's be honest, this is one place to come to get away from the modernity of western civilization.
Amsterdam
 |
| The canals of Amsterdam (image) |
Finally, why not consider Amsterdam, the so-called 'Venice of the North.' With its romantic canals, legendary nightlife, and fascinating cultural history, this is one of the safest (and friendliest) places to visit in all of Europe. Fully adapted for cyclists, you don't have to hop on public transport to get around, and as English is a common language, you don't have to rely on language guides to get to where you want to go. And believe us, there are many places to visit. Amsterdam is home to the some of the most famous breweries in the world, Heineken included. You can visit the home of Anne Frank, and dwell on man's inhumanity. For lighter fare, you can delight your senses in the Tulip fields. You can also stand under a windmill, visit the Van Gogh Museum, traverse the delights of the local marketplaces, and visit (you knew it was coming), the Red Light District, one of the main reasons why tourists (whether they admit it or not), enjoy coming to Amsterdam every year. Considering the seedy aspects of this popular high (red) light, this is one area that isn't as safe as most, so consider finding a group or a tour guide to take you around this particular area.
Finally
So, there you have it. Shiny Singapore, Romantic Rome, Icy Iceland, or Amorous Amsterdam. Four places that we think are worth a visit, especially when travelling alone. Did any of them take your fancy? Let us know what you think, and if you do visit any of them, don't forget to send us a postcard. Happy travelling, and thanks for reading!
This may be a contributed post but all of the thoughts I agree with and match the tone of my blog.
Those of you who know me well know that I have a complete love affair with hiking & being out in nature. Not having the ability to do this these last 7 years has been one of the hardest things in this journey & the source of many tears.
Despite some well-known doctors saying that I would never be able to hike again (or walk properly at one point), this has remained a dream that I continued to fight for. It started SLOWLY with learning to walk down our hallway, to months just walking to the mailbox (which exhausted my fragile body), to small walks around the neighborhood (often leaning on someone) to finally starting to jog & run again in small bits this summer. And then this summer...has held some miracles... including hiking this "steep & difficult" trail while I was in Alaska.
Despite some well-known doctors saying that I would never be able to hike again (or walk properly at one point), this has remained a dream that I continued to fight for. It started SLOWLY with learning to walk down our hallway, to months just walking to the mailbox (which exhausted my fragile body), to small walks around the neighborhood (often leaning on someone) to finally starting to jog & run again in small bits this summer. And then this summer...has held some miracles... including hiking this "steep & difficult" trail while I was in Alaska.
I have been thinking about this hike a lot recently. Yes, the views we're stunning, but at the end it was such a narrow & steep incline that only one person at a time could hike to the top (or go down). So you had to wait & as I stood there waiting I started sobbing. I wasn't at the top yet, but could see it was so close. And then it was my turn & I made it. All of the years of getting to this point hit me & I just cried.
It has also given me pause in reflecting on this stage of the healing journey...able to start to enjoy some long -awaited moments & yet held caught in an undetermined waiting period for others (including completing treatment, a full-time job, etc). The waiting is a dance I am still learning & yet like this hike will have an ending more stunning than I can imagine.
I hear so many stories from people who receive criticism for their health journeys. I know it can be difficult to understand my health journey...to see me travel & yet not be able to "fully" live. And yet...I am met by love & kind understanding that there is a LOT that goes into these writing trips I never share. Your encouragement to live has been priceless. Thank you for helping me write my story to one of hope & rejoicing in the healing that has come & is still to come...and for helping carry me up the mountains.
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