Cindy A. Christiansen's Blog, page 3

Stick This!

Stick This!
I had tried so many things to get well.  I wanted to believe that acupuncture would cure me of all my chronic health issues.  A number of friends assured me this was definitely the solution.  After all, China has been practicing this treatment as far back as 2,500 years. The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health, and disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. Western medicine hadn’t helped me yet.  Here was the solution. I felt empowered!
I entered the small Chinese shop in a shopping strip in downtown Sugar House and sat down, looking at all the Chinese paintings and knick-knacks.   My stomach quaked with nerves, but I knew I could do this because, this time, the treatment would work.
A small, older, oriental woman came from the back of the room.  “Come,” she said, bowing slightly.
I followed her into an examination room, except it wasn’t like any doctor’s exam room I had ever been in before.  It was dingy, smelled odd, and eerily dim.
“Why you here?” she asked.
I took a deep breath and dove into my lengthy medical history, trying to keep it as short and succinct as I could.  She continued to nod her small head, her hair dipping forward each time.  I finally finished and waited for her to say something.
She just stared at me.  “You fat,” she finally said.
“I know, but that’s not why I’m here,” I answered back.
“You fat,” she said again.
“I know.  The doctors have said my body isn’t well enough to lose weight. Can you help me?”
“I fix,” she said.  “It no hurt.”
She opened a drawer and pulled out a box, containing a set of long but thin, metal needles.  I have to admit, my heart skipped a beat.  Thoughts of fleeing entered my mind, but my determination to get well stopped me.
She inserted the first needle into my forehead.  I sighed.  It didn’t hurt.  She continued to place them in my face, hands, elbows and calves.   It wasn’t painful at all.  It would work, and I’d be cured.  I’d be pain-free!  I wouldn’t be sick all the time!  I wanted to jump for joy but knew I had to stay still.
“Now we start,” she said.
Start?  What did she mean—start?  
She manipulated one of the needles in my face. I felt a sting and spreading sensation.  She continued with each needle.
“It hurts,” I said.
“No.  It no hurt.” She vibrated another needle.
Yeah, I was pretty certain it hurt.  “Can you stop?”
“It no hurt,” she told me again.
A lump formed in my throat and heat rose behind my eyes.  If this wasn’t pain, what was it?
“I be back,” she said, darting from the room.
I couldn’t catch my breath, the pain was so excruciating. One or the other of us was in denial about whether this hurt or not.  As the pain intensified and spread in my legs like wildfire, I was certain it wasn’t me.  How could she possibly tell me it didn’t hurt when it did?  I wanted to pull every needle from my body but didn’t dare.  What if I did something wrong?  What if I made the pain worse? 
“Help!” I called out in agony.  “Help me!”
She didn’t come. Sweat beaded on my forehead. Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes and blurred my vision. I tipped my head so the tears spilled.  The Chinese woman stepped back in the room and gave the needle in my calf a spin before I could stop her.
“No!  Stop!” I called out in misery.  “It hurts.  Please stop.”
“It no hurt,” she said again.
I wanted to strangle her.  I wanted to rip out these needles and stab her to death with them.  I couldn’t take it any longer.
I’m pretty sure I swore at some point and didn’t feel at all bad about it.  “Take them out,” I demanded.
“You not done.”
“Take them out now!”
She scurried around, removing them.  I swung my legs over the table and tried to stand.  The pain radiated throughout me, especially my legs.  It felt like someone had drilled holes through my bones with a jackhammer.  Each step increased the pain.
“You come back and I treat you fat,” she said.
I glared at her and then hobbled out of the shop.  In fact, I hobbled for ages.  It took several months before the pain dissipated.  A round, red mark and swelling stayed on each calf the whole time. My chronic health problems didn’t improve, and, yeah, I was still fat.
I’ve told this story over the years with a funny accent and a good laugh.  It’s just another case of laugh about it or cry.


Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs!Fly into a good book at:  http://www.dragonflyromance.comCopyright: markfgd / 123RF Stock PhotoCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Message in the Snow!

Snow still covered the fields, but the thawing spring temperatures quickly soaked the moisture into the ground.  Dad was in the milk barn, milking.  I had finished my chores of feeding and watering the cows, sheep and pigs.  I tromped out into the back pasture to leave Dad one final snow message.
Our Border collie, Ponchovia, darted and flashed in the snow and rushed up to the corral of sheep, barking and snapping at them.  Luckily, he didn’t mess up my message to Dad.
As I headed for the milk barn, I watched the cows in their corral wade through the already melting mud and manure.  Their hooves made a sucking sound as they waddled through the soupy mess.  It was not quite runny enough to drain off into the back pasture to use as fertilizer, but a couple of warmer days would do the trick.
I walked past the shop and chicken coop toward the milk barn.  I could hear Dad singing to a country tune on the radio.  As I approached the door and reached for the hook on the leather cord to unlock it, I paused.
If I unhooked the leather from the latch, Dad would pull but the hook would stay latched.  I snickered under my breath like Muttley and Dick Dastardly. What would Dad do?  The only other way out was through the corral in all that stinky, deep manure that would run over the tops of his rubber boots.
I tapped my gloved finger against my cold, dry, smiling lips.  Would he wade through all that yuck?  Would he laugh or kill me?  My brows furrowed while I contemplated his reaction to my prank.  I was pretty certain he would kill me.
I heard the metal stanchion spring open and Dad slap Bessy affectionately on the rump, telling her to back out and head for the corral.  I slipped the leather off the hook, moved away from the door a few feet, and waited with my cold hands nestled in my coat pockets.  Dad shut off the radio.  I heard him pick up the metal handle on the milk bucket.   The leather slowly pulled toward the small hole in the door without the hook and then stopped.  Dad feed the leather back down as if he could rehook the latch.  No chance.
I covered my mouth and giggled.  He made several other attempts at unlatching the door and then beat on it.  My cheeks hurt from smiling.  His movements finally stopped.  I’m pretty sure there was a flurry of cussing under his breath.  I knew he was conflicted about tromping through all that manure.  I could actually feel his tension mounting as he tried to figure out how to escape unscathed.
By the sound, I could tell he cupped his mouth to yell out my brother’s name.  I couldn’t hold back any longer.  I burst into rolling fits of laughter, unlocked the latch, and threw open the door.
Dad stood on the other side frozen in shocked surprise.  “Why you little pipsqueak.”
He grabbed me by the back of the neck and squeezed, but my coat hood protected me from his playful throttling.

We delivered the bucket of warm, steaming milk to the house, and then I showed him my message in the snow, “I love you, Dad.”
He forgave me that day, and it was a special memory the two of us shared until the day he died. I will always love you, Dad.



Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs! 
Fly into a good book at:  http://www.dragonflyromance.com

Copyright of Dog in Snow Photo: gbphoto21 / 123RF Stock PhotoCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

What are You Looking for in a Romance Book?

So surprised that with social media being what it is today and how everyone seems to know what's going on in my life before I call and tell them, I've recently discovered that hardly any of my friends realize just how many books I've written and published!

The grand total is seventeen!

Now, not all of them are full-length books. Seven of them are novellas. However, I still try to put everything into my novellas I do for my full-length books except maybe a secondary plotline. They actually take just as much work to do.

Let me tell you what I try to give you in a read:
A clean read with no bedroom scenes or offensive language.A tantalizing, fast-paced plot.A story without a lot of boring description.Down-to-earth and small town heroes and heroines with everyday jobs.A rollercoaster ride of emotions you face right along with the characters.A special dog to steal your heart.A few added facts, a good message, and that important happily-ever-after ending.
My books are suitable for teens and up! I write Contemporary Christian Romance which means I write clean and whole romantic suspense with clean morals but not any preachy religious narrative. Those books are called Inspirational romances with the Godhead as part of the main character triangle.
I actually like to consider myself a romance action/comedy author. I love suspense but can't help but add some comedy/humor along the way. (We can't take ourselves, or our characters, too seriously.)

I also try to include a message--a character journey--my hero and heroine learn along the way. Here's a list of my titles and the message they include:

Caskets and Corruption- Rediscover yourself.Love on Laird Avenue – Never give up.Braving the Blaze – Life is good.Hazardous Hideaway – Dare to dream.Not Quite Zen – Live for the moment.Legacy of Lies – Share your soul.Stolen Horses, Stolen Hearts – Dreams require ambition.Risky Seeds, Risky Hearts - You must lose a fly to catch a trout.Worth the Wait – You are worth the wait.Time Will Tell – Everyone deserves to be loved.Hunting for Happenstance – By changing nothing, nothing changes.Fortune for Fools – Once exposed, a secret loses all its power.Broken Deeds, Broken Hearts – He who angers you conquers you.Christmas Spoons – Adversity is the diamond dust Heaven polishes its jewels with.Hawk Mountain Heist - To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.Fraudulent Flights – Perfectionism rarely produces perfection—only disappointment.
In these later years, I haven't entered many contests, but I thought I would share some of my accolades:

Time Will Tell: LUW - Oquirrh Chapter: Published Works - 1st Place
Fortune for Fools: LUW - Oquirrh Chapter: Published Works - 2nd Place
Hunting for Happenstance: LUW - Oquirrh Chapter: Published Works - 3rd Place
Legacy of Lies: RWA Heart of the West Chapter Contest - Honorable Mention
Legacy of Lies: RWA Golden Pen Contest - Honorable Mention
Hazardous Hideaway: RWA Great Beginning Contest - 1st Place
Love on Laird Avenue: League of Utah Writers Oquirrh Chapter Contest - 1st Place, Whitney Award Nominee
Braving the Blaze: League of Utah Writers Oquirrh Chapter Contest - 1st Place, Whitney Award Nominee
Caskets and Corruption: Whitney Award Nominee


If I were to sum up my writing and what my readers say about my books, I would have to say I try to give my readers an escape from their daily troubles. That's what writing does for me. One reader said, "Your books are my dessert for the day!" What a delicious thought!
Happy Reading,
Cindy
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs! Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com 



Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Cherished Cheese!

After having stomach surgery almost ten years ago, one of the only things I can eat without stomach distress is CHEESE! Cherished cheese! I have to admit, I was a big cheese fan before, and I still am. Coming up on June 4th is the glorious day we get to celebrate National Cheese Day. But frankly, I celebrate it everyday!

Until my surgery, I didn't experiment much with different types of cheese. Now, I do. There are around 1,400 varieties and Americans consume on average around 31 pounds of cheese in a year. I especially love a rich, dry cheese. A dry texture is key. What about you? 
One of my all-time favorites is Trader Joe's Caramelized Onion. Do you have a favorite?

Do you know how cheese is made? It is produced from pressed curds of milk. The milk can come from cows, goats, sheep and even buffalos. The flavor and texture are influenced by temperature, aging process, and spices. It has been a staple of our diets since ancient times, dating back as far as 10,000 years ago. 
Have you ever thought of holding your own cheese tasting party? Or, enjoy it while reading a good book? Consider both this month, especially on June 4th, and let me know your favorite cheese in the comments! 

Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs! Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com 


Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month

I was diagnosed with fibro many years ago, along with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome and Chronic Epstein-Barr Syndrome. Since then, I have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and Hashimoto's Disease which are all autoimmune illnesses. I also have a host of other diseases and conditions so it is difficult for me to discern what symptoms go with which illness. During National Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, I will refer to the experts to explain. What is fibromyalgia?Fibromyalgia syndrome is a condition that is not very well understood as yet. Fibromyalgia symptoms are varied but usually include chronic pain around the body, muscle stiffness and fatigue (extreme tiredness/exhaustion) which may severely affect a person’s day to day life.Experts do not yet understand what causes fibromyalgia, but it is a long term condition, that may be linked to abnormal chemical activity within the brain.There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are therapeutic fibromyalgia treatments that can reduce the impact of symptoms on a person’s life.Fibromyalgia seems to affect people of all ages, but mostly those aged between 30 to 50 years old, and women are much more likely to develop the condition compared to men. It is thought to be more common that statistics report, since many people do not seek medical help, or are misdiagnosed. There may be around 1.5-2 million people in the UK with fibromyalgia.
What causes fibromyalgia?Nobody knows for sure yet what causes fibromyalgia. Current theories suggest that fibromyalgia may be caused by irregular activity within the central nervous system. This is because the pain it causes does not seem to be a result of physical or mechanical problems in the body (e.g. a broken bone, a pulled muscle, inflammation) but instead, seems to be caused by the brain’s management of pain signals. This means that for many people, pain relieving drugs do not have much effect for them and pain cannot be healed.People with the condition may find it difficult to accept that the causes of fibromyalgia are not yet confirmed. Generally, people like to understand why they are experiencing a healthcare condition. Some people report that the fibromyalgia diagnosis process is also difficult and takes a long time, because there is a lack of understanding of the syndrome in the medical community, for example, GPs.It is common for a stressful life event to be what triggers fibromyalgia. Lots of people who have the condition report that their fibromyalgia symptoms began when they had an illness, injury, operation, bereavement, relationship breakdown (e.g. divorce), or even after having a baby. Similarly, people report that their fibromyalgia symptoms flare up due to these types of events and experiences.For treatments and living with this illness, please check out NRS Healthcare or other internet sites.  My advice is: Rest and relax and fly into a good book! *wink, wink* Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs! Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com Copyright information: https://www.nrshealthcare.co.uk/articles/condition/fibromyalgiaCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

May is Fibromyalgia Awareness

I was diagnosed with fibro many years ago, along with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome and Chronic Epstein-Barr Syndrome. Since then, I have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and Hashimoto's Disease which are all autoimmune illnesses. I also have a host of other diseases and conditions so it is difficult for me to discern what symptoms go with which illness. During National Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, I will refer to the experts to explain. What is fibromyalgia?Fibromyalgia syndrome is a condition that is not very well understood as yet. Fibromyalgia symptoms are varied but usually include chronic pain around the body, muscle stiffness and fatigue (extreme tiredness/exhaustion) which may severely affect a person’s day to day life.Experts do not yet understand what causes fibromyalgia, but it is a long term condition, that may be linked to abnormal chemical activity within the brain.There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are therapeutic fibromyalgia treatments that can reduce the impact of symptoms on a person’s life.Fibromyalgia seems to affect people of all ages, but mostly those aged between 30 to 50 years old, and women are much more likely to develop the condition compared to men. It is thought to be more common that statistics report, since many people do not seek medical help, or are misdiagnosed. There may be around 1.5-2 million people in the UK with fibromyalgia.
What causes fibromyalgia?Nobody knows for sure yet what causes fibromyalgia. Current theories suggest that fibromyalgia may be caused by irregular activity within the central nervous system. This is because the pain it causes does not seem to be a result of physical or mechanical problems in the body (e.g. a broken bone, a pulled muscle, inflammation) but instead, seems to be caused by the brain’s management of pain signals. This means that for many people, pain relieving drugs do not have much effect for them and pain cannot be healed.People with the condition may find it difficult to accept that the causes of fibromyalgia are not yet confirmed. Generally, people like to understand why they are experiencing a healthcare condition. Some people report that the fibromyalgia diagnosis process is also difficult and takes a long time, because there is a lack of understanding of the syndrome in the medical community, for example, GPs.It is common for a stressful life event to be what triggers fibromyalgia. Lots of people who have the condition report that their fibromyalgia symptoms began when they had an illness, injury, operation, bereavement, relationship breakdown (e.g. divorce), or even after having a baby. Similarly, people report that their fibromyalgia symptoms flare up due to these types of events and experiences.For treatments and living with this illness, please check out NRS Healthcare or other internet sites.  My advice is: Rest and relax and fly into a good book! *wink, wink* Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs! Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com Copyright information: https://www.nrshealthcare.co.uk/articles/condition/fibromyalgiaCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Life is Not Like the TV Show—The Good Doctor

Life is not like the TV show, The Good Doctor , at least not for my two autistic boys.
For those of you who haven’t seen the show, The Good Doctor is about Shaun Murphy, a young autistic surgeon, played by Freddie Highmore, who has savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join the surgical unit at the prestigious San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital -- a move strongly supported by his mentor, Dr. Aaron Glassman. Having survived a troubled childhood, Shaun is alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him, but he finds his niche using his extraordinary medical skill and intuition to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues.


Yeah, right! I truly hope that life is like that for other autistic kids, but it isn’t our world. My oldest son has an almost savant-like mechanical, electronic ability. He has been obsessed with cars since he was two. He sees things in 3-D and can figure out how most things work easily. In elementary school, he was doing math that his teachers couldn’t do, but in middle school they decided he was dumb and would only give him picture math (one apple + one apple = ?).
That same philosophy has continued on through school and now to his work. Too intelligent for a day program gluing macaroni and paper, they have tried to place him in an automotive setting in the community. After volunteering for a number of years, he was hired at an automotive repair garage…as a janitor with the promise that they would hire him to change oil. Finally, his job coach company hired a job coach with mechanic abilities and certification. He was supposed to work with my son one-on-one to make sure nothing went wrong. After months of employment, the job coach said to the owner of the shop, “Look, when are you going to let him change oil?”
The answer was, “Never.”
At the time, I wasn’t told any more than that and so my son changed jobs. (With not much more success.) He still hasn’t been given an opportunity to demonstrate what he can actually do.
So, then comes along my other son, also autistic. His school experience was much the same—negative. He has a love of animals, particularly dogs. He wanted to go into the Animal Science program at Salt Lake Community College his senior year. His autism cluster teacher told him he wasn’t smart enough. He couldn’t learn the anatomy. He couldn’t do the math. He couldn’t do it. Period. I spoke with the doctor teaching the program, and he told me kids of all abilities are welcome in his class. I got the district involved, but even the vice principal was negative about my son taking the course. He also told us his cluster teacher refused to help him if he did it anyway. Seriously? What kind of teacher doesn't want their students to succeed?
What you must understand is that people with autism may have difficulties focusing on things, but when they are interested, they are extremely capable. They tend to hyper-focus and are almost obsessed with the subject.
Without special treatment in the Animal Science course, my youngest son passed with straight As and special certifications.
He has been working for an animal hospital for five years as a boarding technician for minimum wage. He has worked there longer than any other employee except one. Recently, we met with his Vocational Rehabilitation counselor to ask again that he be allowed to take on new tasks. We were told that the hospital was a business and are there to make money. They will not risk their business on someone with autism. (At least that’s what their office manager told Voc Rehab.)
I realized at that moment, neither of my children were going to be given the opportunity to prove themselves. I cried for a week. I laughed and scoffed at The Good Doctor . I considered life cruel and wondered why I worked so hard for my boys. Then, I got angry.
I refuse to give up. We have fought so many battles. This is just one more. There has to be companies out there that consider their employees more important than their bottom line; not that I’m asking them to let my son repair a car on his own or my other son to perform surgery on someone’s dog without the proper training, but they are both more capable than the world as defined them.
Life may not be like The Good Doctor for us, but nothing is stopping us from changing our little corner of the world.
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs! Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com


Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Are You Sad because of SAD?

Well, I am here to tell you that my family suffers with SAD. Yes, that's Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons. The lack of sunlight and Vitamin D, saps your energy, makes you feel moody and even depressed. The three men in my life really struggle with this and require medication and light therapy. Not even the joy of the holiday season can help them with this disorder. It's been so bad this year, everyone got full-spectrum light bulbs in their stockings.
Here is a more detailed list of symptoms from the Mayo Clinic:
Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every dayLosing interest in activities you once enjoyedHaving low energyHaving problems with sleepingExperiencing changes in your appetite or weightFeeling sluggish or agitatedHaving difficulty concentratingFeeling hopeless, worthless or guiltyHaving frequent thoughts of death or suicideSo if you are feeling depressed more days than not, consider talking to your doctor about SAD or buying yourself a sunlight lamp. As for me, I think I will curl up with a good book while everyone is struggling with their moods today.
You might want to consider my latest release, Hawk Mountain Heist . They're getting plenty of sunshine on the winter ski slopes in Utah.
Distributors

Happy Reading and Escaping!
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs! Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com 


Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Twelve Days of Christmas Event!

You won't want to miss this wonderful opportunity to win!Please sign-up on Facebook for the event so you are ready to win big.Go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/253030184807718/files/

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs! 
Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com 

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Maybe Christmas, Perhaps, Means a Little Bit More!

Every year, we manage to make Christmas work—the presents, the get togethers, the decorating, the financial expenses! We even manage to get in some spirituality, Christmas movies and Christmas songs.
Even though my youngest autistic son has been terribly ill and in pain for the last four years, we have managed to have the Christmas spirit! Last year in November, he was diagnosed with a debilitating, incurable auto-immune illness called ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome). It is a medical condition characterized by long-term fatigue and other long-term symptoms that limit a person's ability to carry out ordinary daily activities. Despite constant sickness, severe pain, fatigue, suicide threats and attempts, expensive medical bills and waning hope, we still made Christmas work.
But can we do it again this year?
The only treatment they have given him in the traditional western medical world, is compression socks for orthostatic intolerance (OI). OI describes a condition in which an excessively reduced volume of blood returns to the heart after an individual stands up from a lying down position. After 40 years of dedicated research, you would think they could come up with something more than SOCKS!
Anyway, after one financial issue after another this past year, mostly medical treatments, we are embarking on yet another diagnosis for his illness and another treatment plan. This time it is for Lyme Disease. It is an inflammatory disease characterized at first by a rash, headache, fever, and chills, and later by possible arthritis and neurological and cardiac disorders, caused by bacteria that are transmitted by ticks.
For better or worse, we find ourselves without funds this Christmas. In fact, I have taken back gifts to the stores as much as I can. Do we care? Not really. For what is Christmas about? Sure, it is nice to receive presents and fun things to enjoy. But, oh, what joy and a miracle it would be to have our son well again so that he can move forward with his life and not be sick and in pain at such a young age.
Is our whole family on board? Yes. Even his autistic older brother has said he doesn’t want anything for Christmas except for his brother to get well. So, we will put up our artificial tree with old ornaments, eat from our food storage, watch old movies we already have, visit with friends, do as much service as we can for others and pray that God can give us a miracle of health rather than a new video game or big-sized TV.
As the Grinch learned, “"Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." Christmas truly is what you make it.

Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs! Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com


Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author