I grew up in Athens, Greece with my Greek grandparents but I attended a private American School (D.O.D school).
I married an American Navy man in 1990 and moved to California. Our daughter is 20 now, in 2nd yr of college and engaged to her high school sweetheart.
I've moved around a lot during my married years, which was both exciting & stressful. Today, I call "Bama" (Alabama) home, which is where I've settled after 15 years of virtually "living out of a suitcase."
In 2005, I was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, after nearly 8 years of persistent malaise. It was a very dark time in my life. It cost me my job, my friends, my marriage, my pride and my sanity.
After hundreds of pills, expensive tests, and endless nights of crying, I still have to console myself that it's ok to be slower than before, more tired, forgetful, constantly sore and cranky. And I always have to remind myself to not feel guilty or pressured to give an explanation to anyone concerning my invisible chronic illness.
Today, and every day since then, I count my blessings and I am always grateful for what I have.
While currently on disability, I've had to find hobbies & activities to fill my time but without exacerbating my condition. Among my favorite passtimes are scrap-booking, sewing & crocheting and more recently blogging, tweeting and affiliate programs for pay.
One of my passions is Animal Rescue. I've rescued 4 dogs and helped save several cats too. Although I'm no longer physically able to go out and rescue animals, I do advocate for them, donate to both local & national organizations and whenever possible I shop from animal charities and "click-to-feed" sites.
Occasionally, I shop handmade items from Etsy Crafters and I do reviews/ features on them. Sometimes, I review random things I've bought or used recently. I believe giving feedback & credit where it is deserved, and as a consumer I'd like to think my opinion counts.
Right now, my short-term goal is to be able to go visit my family back in Greece. It's been 3 years since my last visit and 5 years before that... It's becoming extremely difficult to travel trans-atlantically; it seems everything is a trigger for fibro! Bright lights, loud sounds, hot weather, cold air conditioners, insomnia, painful muscles, sitting too long, standing or walking to much, big crowds, shaky hands, ringing ears------and NAGGING Relatives!!!! LOL
But despite all these obstacles I would really like to see my mother & step father, my sister, my new nephew (who I haven't met yet), and cousins, aunts & uncles. I regret deeply not being able to return to Greece for either of my grandparents' funerals, and if at all possible, I don't want to miss out on anyone else's life.
In the meantime, this blog allows me to be creative & productive on my good days, and distant & aloof on my not-so-good days. And hopefully, entertaining to the rest of Y'all :)
Thanks for visiting!
