Last week I posted about toxic friends, the types of toxic friends and how to deal with them. But, when I turn the lens to myself, I got to wondering if I am a toxic friend. And I have been in the past. While reading through the types, a lot of them rang familiar to what I would sometimes do in relationships. I then started looking to do a little self discovery on what type of friend that I am. After taking these quizzes, and seeing my results, you can see why I'd be a little confused! Ladies Home Journal Quiz My Results You're a great friend! Congratulations! When a friend is in need, you are the gal to call. You can be trusted with secrets and are… [more]

I'm starting a new type of birth control method this month, which means that I will be having a period again. With my previous method, an absence of a period was a very pleasant side effect for me. But now that I'm getting into all of the cycling again, I was wondering what foods I should be eating while menstruating. I know consciously the extreme changes my body goes through during the 28 days and I started to think about ways that I could support my body with food. Here is what I found from Women's Health Information Here are some basic dietary guidelines for you to follow during your period to help control your PMS and for better overall health: Be sure to get… [more]

I am continuing my list of toxic friends that I have dealt with in my life in italics within the blockquote stating the types of toxic friends. Hopefully, if you can recognize any of these types in your life, you can begin to change the relationship or learn to let it go. The Promise Breaker as a Toxic Friend: This person rarely does what he says he will do. If you have a date, your toxic friend is often a no-show. A general lack of dependability makes this person a toxic friend The Gossip as a Toxic Friend: The gossip will eventually betray your trust and become a toxic friend. Gossips are easy to spot so beware your friendships with them. The Self-Centered Person as a Toxic Friend: Self-centered people can't think of you as… [more]

Inserted into the blockquote, I'll be writing in italics to describe some of my interactions with the various types. Fortunately, I'd done some relationship housecleaning before I decided to try to have children, so my infertile years were somewhat toxic friend free. Looking through the types and descriptions, I'm even more grateful. Having these types of friends in your life is stressful enough without adding in the stress of building your family. The User as a Toxic Friend: This person only has friends as long as he/she can use them for some purpose or goal of his/her own. This person could be the most harmful of toxic friends. In my experience, this friend was a mix of both The User and Controller. This friend ruled my self esteem from… [more]

Last week I had posted some information about different types of massage and their relationships with fertility and my exposure to each type. Yesterday, I went in for a massage treatment myself and for the first time experienced lymphatic drainage massage. It was absolute heaven. Here is what ZitaWest.com has to say about describing lymphatic drainage massage. By its name, it may sound like Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) means you are about to have the whole of your lymphatic system drained away, but it is actually a very gentle form of massage aimed at moving the lymph under the skin. The lymphatic system is an important part of our immune system and is also designed to assist in the removal of waste products from the cells of… [more]

We all know how wonderful a supportive friend can be during your dealings with infertility. They are priceless and they can come in many forms, whether a spouse, a sibling or other relative or, a friend. But, there are also relationships that look like friendship, but aren't supportive or healing. These relationships are defined as toxic and can be especially harmful to women who are so vulnerable already by infertility. According to this article Difficult Friends: Toxic Friendships - People You Must Avoid by Emmy over on blogspot, toxic relationships are described as this: Entering into a friendship opens the door for hurt and harm; a harmful friend or a toxic friendship can be one of life's hardest relationship tribulations to forgive and forget. Toxic friends often come… [more]

There are a couple of sites that I have been frequenting lately that have to do with making a wish. I have linked before to the absolutely incredible blog from The Town Criers called, "Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters". Along the sidebar she has a link that says, "Make a Wish" that shows a photo of her wishing stone. Here is the story: Titled, "Have a Wish on Me" Josh bought me a wishing stone this weekend at a store called Mud and Metal. I verified its powers as a wishing stone by checking with my palm pilot's Magic 8 ball prior to the purchase. I am happy to report that according to the Magic 8 ball, this is a true and working wish stone. So I'm granting everyone… [more]

The series finale of The King of Queens aired last week. I saved the time and date and made plans to watch the show with my husband which is no easy task with our schedules. While watching the show, I started dreading where it was going. By the end of the show I was disappointed. And upset at what I saw. And with a goal to write about it here. Adoption myths and international adoption myths are alive and well in even the media of mainstream America. First of all, here are the things that I remember that I was irritated at. Carrie gets a text message of her baby's picture and then flies to Beijing to pick up her daughter, mere weeks… [more]

Painting Chef: Like a Little Ray of Sarcastic Sunshine I contacted PaintingChef last night to see if I could reprint her latest infertility post here as I felt that it did such a great job at conveying a reaction to a friend's pregnancy and a new baby born. And isn't this one of the cutest replies as well? Sure! And thanks so much, I'm really flattered!! Lucky for you its one of the VERY few infertility-related ones where I'm not whining and moaning... but if you are interested in those, I promise you, there are PLENTY! Haha!! I'll check out your website!! Now to see the actual post, which is titled, The Imagery Will Be Too Much For You Bear Let me tell you a secret about… [more]

I have taken extra certification classes in reflexology and it is so interesting. Also, it can be pretty painful as well, when the practitioner discovers an area that needs to be worked on. But, it is effective in promoting many types of improvements, and, some say, can help with fertility. There are certain areas on the feet that correspond to the ovaries, which when manipulated can help with ovarian function. Overall, reflexology can provide whole body stimulation and provide a rejuvenating feeling or a feeling of relaxation, depending on the work being done. The recipient is normally seated in a comfortable chair or lays upon a table to receive treatments. It is important though, to let your practitioner know that you are trying to… [more]