Being that my surgeon is new in town, she doesn’t have a long wait for procedures. But I was very surprised by how quickly everything has been arranged.

Look for new site updates after my recovery. Plus a very special announcement!

I received my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis ten years ago on May 12, 2000. The disease came on strong out of nowhere. After the earlier burn trauma I had experienced, I felt as if I had already paid my dues in life. I wasn’t suppose to get a serious disease, especially one that could put me in a wheelchair or cause me to go blind. Multiple Sclerosis is a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It is very unpredictable. Depending on which areas of the central nervous system are affected and how badly they are damaged, the type and severity of symptoms can vary greatly. Looking back I understand why I felt so overwhelmed.

On Monday, I had my checkup with my neurologist. We discussed how fortunate I am not to have a lot of complications from the disease. That’s not to say I haven’t had problems. For the first year after my diagnosis I felt hopeless, as if I was just waiting to die. Then I decided I have MS, it doesn’t have me. I knew I couldn’t control what course the disease took in my life but I could make my life the best it could be.

I strive to keep my life peaceful. Stress can bring on a MS exacerbation, which causes damage to your nervous system. My diet is very healthy. I avoid processed foods and eat a lot of fruits and veggies. Whether it’s hiking or yoga, I love being active. I know doing these things will not guarantee my Multiple Sclerosis will stay mild. But I will do whatever I can to help myself stay healthy. I want to watch my son graduate college and see his embark on a life of him own. Plus my husband has a seat in his Kenworth waiting for me to join him as he travels across this beautiful country of ours. After having MS for 10 years, I can honestly say life is good and I will not let my disease change that.

• Spinach-Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Tuesday

• Chicken Cacciatore

• Garlic Bread

Wednesday

• Beef Daube Provençal

Thursday

• Pork Sausage-Seasoned Rice

• Mini Corn on the Cob

Friday

• Barramundi and Lemon Butter Sauce

• Garlic Mashed Potatoes

• Green Beans

Saturday

• Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Shepherd’s Pie)

Sunday

• Bacon-Wrapped Fried Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce

• Potato Wedges

• Buttery Peas

…

Joining Sandy at http://orgjunkie.com/ for Menu Planning Monday!

Recipe: Barramundi and Lemon Butter Sauce

Cooking time (duration): 20

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: dinner

My rating:5 stars: ★★★★★

Recipe: Spinach-Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Cooking time (duration): 20

Number of servings (yield): 6

Meal type: dinner

My rating:4 stars: ★★★★☆

When children are young, those magical Mother’s Days are orchestrated by our husbands. But what about us moms whose husbands’ work keep them away from home most of the time? I have learned to cherish the every day moments and not to have grandiose expectations for days labeled as special.

A few nights ago, I took my son for a walk. Toward the end of the trail, he reached under his jacket and pulled out a wild flower he picked for me. He gave me the flower out of love not because the date on the calendar told him he is expected to do it. I cherish this wild flower more than I would any store-bought one.

But what’s amazing is how this Zen-like attitude has taken hold in other areas of my life. Throughout my day, I find myself being more relaxed and in the moment. I am taking this as a sign I have made the right life choice of closing the time-consuming local website I operated and instead focusing my energies on my new less-stressful pursuits.

I will be reminding myself to be present, to live simply, to keep myself centered and at peace as I start my personal development journey.

So what are some of the things I want to try? For starters… Yoga and Gourmet Cooking. My husband and I own a business and that, along with raising our 10 year old son, makes life a wee bit stressful. Plus, now that Andrew is older, I don’t spend as much time actively playing at local parks. I am hoping yoga will be a great way to stay in shape, with the added benefit of relaxation. As for gourmet cooking, I have always had a flair in the kitchen. I learned early a lot of great cooking is done not from written recipes. Since January, when my husband and I experienced the sixteen course degustation menu at Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas, I have been inspired to take my cooking to the next level. Gourmet cooking incorporates high-quality ingredients, skillful preparation and artful presentation. It’s as much of a feast for the eyes as it is for mouth. Being a true foodie with a love of the dramatics, I picture myself enjoying the planning of both ingredients and culinary tools needed to create a delicious dish, as well as using my creativity to add a clever presentation turning it into a delicious masterpiece.

In addition to sharing my yoga and gourmet cooking learning adventures on this blog, I hope to discuss other ways of being physically fit, emotionally competent, and intellectually engaged. These are important, not only at 40 but at any age.