I spent four consecutive hours yesterday watching, HGTV’s Beachfront Bargain Hunt. For those of you who know better and spend your Sundays reading, writing or doing something productive, this particular segment on the HGTV network features people who are tired of renting and are looking for beachfront vacation properties to buy. A realtor shows them several properties until they find the beachfront oasis of their dreams.
After bombarding my brain with images of pristine aqua-blue waters framed by miles of golden sandy beaches, clear blue skies, thirst quenching tropical beverages and sling-shot bikinis, I felt even more depressed than I already was.
Really.
I am no different from the 1.3 million US residents living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you have RA, you will experience pain. If you have RA and you live in a cold climate, you will most likely experience even more pain. And stiffness. And aches. And sadness. And isolation.
I know I do.
As a result (and just because) I am leaving tomorrow (weather permitting) for an almost 3 week hiatus, landing directly in the warm and comforting arms of my wonderful mother, who happens to live on the island of PUERTO RICO.
Just what the doctor ordered.
Happy travels. Zap that RA. Embrace your Mom. Cheers–
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Thank you so much! I have returned just last night, in fact. I am trying to remain positive and keep the positive vibes going despite the snow storm coming on Sunday evening. I had a marvelous time so I cannot complain. 🙂 Hope you are well.
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Have a terrific vacation and ejoy that warm sun! Hope the RA pain subsides a bit over there.
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Gracias, Phil! The pina colada is helping. 🙂
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Oh girl! Hoe you’re having a wonderful time! I had to get out of Dodge myself and find some sunshine! I totally needed it!
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Good for you. John asked me today if I was sick of sun and warm. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
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That’s a good one! I am sick of sun and warm, said no one ever! 🙂
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I’m green with envy.
While you’ll be tan with comfort, I suppose…
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Don’t be green! You can be blue, I like blue better. Don’t hate me cuz I’m beautiful and in PR. I will send mucho sol your way! xo
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Have a truly wonderful time Maria…what better place to be than in the warm embrace of your mother…and in the sunshine too, woo hoo! Forgot that TV show…you’ve got way better 🙂 Happy, safe travels and see you when you get back >3
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Gracias, Sherri. I have arrived and was already taken out to a wonderful Puerto Rican dinner and delicious Sangria. Ahhhhh…..There’s no place like home. Although I left PR at the age of 9, it still feels like home to me when I visit. I even hugged a palm tree on the way to the restaurant! LOL.
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So happy for you Maria…you sound like my daughter when she goes back to America. She was 10 when she left! Have a beautiful time 🙂 ❤ xo
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I am so hooked on that hgtv show, it’s not even funny. You deserve a good vacation with family and warm weather. Enjoy it and I can’t wait to read all about it!
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Landed at 7:30 pm, ate wonderful food, drank wonderful Sangria, hugged a palm tree and now I am ready for sleep. Buenas Noches, amiga.
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Oh….THAT’S how you are supposed to do it.
It’s February and I left the beach and am at my sister’s house in the Midwest, where it is 11 degrees. What was I thinking???
Enjoy your getaway!
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Oh no, go back! I am just thinking that when I get back it will be March and although still cold, it sounds so much closer to Spring! Stay warm. 🙂
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Well, about all I have for comparison is I have lots of nausea and fatigue with our cold, rainy weather. Many, many days where I crawl in bed mid-to-late afternoon to warm up and ride out the pain, napping for a few hours at a time.
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So sorry :(. I feel your pain. I am very fortunate to have my mama in PR. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t go spend time there. Continue to recover, amigo. 🙂
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Enjoy your special island, Mrs. B. Please duck the arms of your mom a moment, concentrate really hard, and telepath me SOME WARM. Make that pretty please. Have a great trip, my friend. Buenas suerte. Hasta luega, mi amiga.
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Gracias, Mr. B! I will promise to bring back some sunshine and a happier brickhousechick! Stay warm, now! 🙂
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Nice… have fun down there.
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Gracias, Trent. I plan on relaxing, soaking up some Vitamin D and sangrias. Lot’s of sangria. Tomorrow can’t come fast enough. 🙂
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A well deserved break. Relax, soak up some sunshine and let your mother baby you…they love doing that. 🙂 Have a great time, Maria!
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I feel so bad about leaving Mr. B alone for so long! Usually the kids have been home when I’ve gone, but this time the nest will truly be empty. Once that plane lands tomorrow (God, willing), I will soak it all in and enjoy every single second of my stay there. My mom sure does love spoiling me, she does not let me even wash one single dish. I am looking forward to getting some warm fresh air and not feeling so trapped in my house. 🙂
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Enjoy yourself!
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Thanks, Darla! I am sure you are getting quite fed up with winter up in ME! There are only so many snow days a mom can handle. I am hoping that my flight does not get delayed or canceled tomorrow after all the cancellations that occurred today. 🙂
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I will miss you
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Gracias, Arturo. I have been too “down” lately so I am looking forward to some warm sunshine and pampering from my mama. Every winter I ask myself, “Why the hell am I living here?” 🙂
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I ask that about everybody who lives where it snows a lot.
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I wanna go!! Your mom has good taste in homes. Enjoy your vacation.
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The funny thing is that my mom is so welcoming and warm that she would spoil you to death also, if you were there. I don’t know what I would do without her! I am very blessed to have the supportive family that I have. My hubby will not be thrilled about being solo for that whole time and I will miss him, but he’s the first one to tell me to go and heal my bones! 🙂
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Soak up that sun, chica. xo
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Gracias, Beth. The vitamin D, the sangria, the food, the warmth and the pampering will make my aching body and soul happy! I am lucky that my mom lives in PR. 🙂
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Duuuuuuuuuude Buen Camino chica! Get your lechon on girl and hope the sunshine rocks your world. Azuuuuuuuuuuuuuucar!
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“Get your lechon on, girl.” OMG, you know it! Nothing like lechon, arroz con habichuelas and tostones to make a girl feel better! And of course, warmth! Gracias, Guat. 🙂
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Sorry you’re suffering, Sweetie. Have a fab time in the sun!
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Thanks, Peg. Every winter I think I can handle it and it just gets worse and worse! I want my mommy. And Sangria with fried plantains. 🙂
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Yay! Hope you enjoy your reprieve from the cold and the pain and the stiffness and the aches. I know that I feel MUCH BETTER since moving to Florida ~ less pain, less stiffness, and fewer aches.
Enjoy yourself to the MAX!!! 😎
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Hello my dear Nancy! Sorry I have not been by your neck of the woods lately. I haven’t been myself and have been doing mindless things lately. I cannot wait to be spoiled by my mama and to feel the warmth in my bones. You are a wise woman to have moved! I ask myself everyday what the heck I am doing in the northeast. 🙂
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No worries mate! I’m barely minding the store myself. Let P.R.’s warm sunny days chase your winter blues away. And may your return coincide with spring’s arrival on the horizon.
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Enjoy the warmth….and, if it makes you feel better, I got sucked into back to back episodes of Donnie Loves Jenny. I think I need a lobotomy!
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Ha,ha,ha! Love it! I am guilty of watching episodes of DIVAS (women wrestling), so I hear ya! 🙂 I’m looking forward to being more active and outdoors rather than trapped inside binging on tv shows and food!
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Have a great time! Enjoy the sunshine!
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Gracias, Susie. I honestly need to get out of here where I feel so trapped and achy. My Vitamin D levels are so low my doctor gave me a choice. Take a mega dose of D or go visit my mom in PR. DUH! 🙂
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Have a wonderful time!
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Thanks so much! It’s hard not to enjoy being spoiled by your mother in a warm and welcoming climate! I will send warm wishes back to everyone who is freezing! 🙂
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Have a good trip!!
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Gracias, Scott! I am so very lucky that my mom lives there and that she loves to spoil me. 🙂
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So glad to hear you’re going!! Please drink lots of sangria, relax and enjoy the warmth. And post pictures.
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Thanks, Andra. I need to get out of here asap! Looking forward to being spoiled by my Mama! I hope you are doing well in your tour. I will be finishing your great book while flying tomorrow! 🙂
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Moms make it all better, even if the weather and the sand and surf do not. Have a great time. I hope the change in climate helps
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You are so right about moms, Pam. I know how much you must really miss yours. 😦 You are never too old to need your mama! I am looking forward to not feeling trapped and miserable.
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And warm. Don’t forget warm. I swear I don’t warm up around here until July
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Jealous. But hoping you have a grand time nonetheless. Enjoy!
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Thanks, Ally. I know, it’s hard to be the one staying back in this miserable winter-land! It’s been horrible for everyone. I am very lucky that my mother lives in PR and that I have a free place to stay. I just want to hurt less and enjoy the warmth. 🙂
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Oh, how wonderful! Enjoy your getaway!!
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Thanks, Nancy. Once I land, I will be happy! So many flight cancellations today I am hoping everything is back to normal by tomorrow afternoon. Calgon, take ma away!
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Have a great vacation, Brick!
Por favor, dile a Mami “hola”!
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Gracias, amigo. Yo espero que al avión salga mañana! Hoy cancelaron muchos vuelos. 🙂
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Salga, avion, salga!
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