Two Little Words for Friends With Flair

Oh yeah! It's Friday! And time for my favorite post of the week -- Unity Friends With Flair.  This is "my post", a chance to use my favorite stamps, a chance to create what I want, with whatever theme I want.  It's "me" time!

Did any of you choose 'one little word' for a theme for 2014?  I chose 2 words, and they come with a story (as many of my FWF posts do).  Mid-December, I had terrible pain in my left shoulder.  It lasted two days (and 2 sleepless nights), got better, but then the same thing happened to my right shoulder.  I had injured the left shoulder this summer, so I thought I had re-injured it.  I chalked the right shoulder up to over use.  Three days later, my left hand swelled up and had the same terrible pain.  At that point, I freaked out and saw a doctor.  After many blood tests and a couple days of waiting (at which time, my right hand was attacked), she suspected rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  This was something I didn't want to hear.  I've worked in a nursing home for many years and have seen the results of RA.  I DON'T want this!

Since then, I've seen a rheumatologist.  And, he's confirmed the diagnosis.  It's RA.  And, this is where my two little words, and today's card comes in:

These are my two words for this year, and, I hope, for many years to come.  I can take on this chronic illness and make the most of it, looking for the joy in life, or I can let it defeat me.  I've always been a fighter.  And there are lots worse things in life I could have.  Right now, it's the newness of the diagnoses, and not knowing what lies ahead that is hard.  I've started on medication for the debilitating pain and inflammation, but it will take 2-6 months to take effect.  In the meantime, I haven't slept through an entire night since Dec. 11.  But, I will, and this will all get sorted out.  I have confidence! Some days the pain is so bad it hurts to pick up a piece of paper.  But I have confidence we will eventually find the right medicine! And fatigue?  Uff da.  I drag through my days!

Although there may be many major changes ahead for me and my husband, hopefully many things will stay the same.

I used the current sketch from the Unity Be Inspired Challenge for this card. I heat embossed the "Choose Joy" sentiment stamp (Unity/Stephanie Ackerman) and colored in the heart with a Close To My Heart Tulip marker. There is my favorite chipboard on this card -- Umwow Studios Heart Confetti. Sometimes, I just have to leave it plain, 'cause it looks perfect just the way it is.  On one of the hearts, I used some gesso, then 2 colors of Creative Inspirations Paint -- Garnet & a very small amount of Burgundy.

The cardstock base is CTMH Ruby, as is the Kraft CS.  Designer paper is Carta Bella 6x6 Wildflower. And, the twine, is, of course, Timeless Twine in Tuxedo Black.

So, 'Choose Joy' my friends!  CHOOSE JOY!