You could think of this post as a type of spoonie gift guide if you have a chronically ill friend you'd like to bless. I'm really excited to share some great items I've been using this summer and thought it would be a good time to share them now so that if you have Amazon Prime, you could take advantage of some amazing savings if you do your shopping this week because Prime Day is starting on Monday and lasts for 36 hours! 

I know this isn't a sales website, I don't often do these types of posts, but I love shopping on Amazon due to the convenience and the huge range of items available to me without having to leave my bed and I would like to share these great items with you if they might be beneficial to you or somebody you love - taking advantage of a massive sale event like Prime Day is just a bonus!

I am so excited to share this news with you! I have been nominated for the 2018 WEGO Health Award in the Best In Show: Blog category!

I first heard about WEGO Health Awards last year when one of the lovely warriors I follow on Instagram was nominated for her advocacy efforts. I later joined them on Twitter for a few of their live chats too. I thought it was a great idea to give recognition to these chronic illness warriors who are not only battling their own illnesses, but continue to raise awareness and support the communities they serve.

I was certainly not expecting to ever be nominated for one myself! This is a huge honour and I am so very grateful.

In this interview series we feature the stories of chronic illness warriors around the world, we shine a light on various chronic illnesses and the amazing humans who deal with them daily. The aim is to raise awareness as well as celebrate the ways in which our fellow warriors overcome the limits placed on them.

Today I have the privilege of sharing Laura Morningstar's A Day In My Life interview here on Chronically Hopeful. Laura is a warrior who battles against multiple chronic illnesses daily. She has a lovely blog where she writes about health and fitness, books, family, music and more. 

Chronically Hopeful has been nominated for another blog award! The Sunshine Blogger Award is awarded to bloggers by bloggers in recognition of their contribution to the community.

In particular the Sunshine Blogger Award is awarded to those bloggers whose posts bring a bit of sunshine to the community by spreading joy and positivity.  I am honoured to have been selected. 

It's time for another personal update. Time to reassess and set realistic goals. This month has been so much harder than I anticipated. Somehow I imagined that summer would bring better health and more energy along with sunnier days and warmer temperatures, but it hasn't really. I have spent so much time in bed!

Despite this, there have been some exciting things happening here. Exciting for me anyway, not sure anybody else would define it as such! Haha... 

• I got new glasses and prescription sunglasses (or was that in May?)
• I got back into painting after a month off (slowly but surely...)
• I made a few crafty things while in bed, to brighten my room (will show off soon!)
• My parents bought us a bunch more mini cacti which I love! (see photos below)

There are many little things that have brought a smile to my heart even though I have been quite weak and flaring lately. It's important to focus on and cherish those little blessings that we so often overlook in the chaos of everyday life. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude. It really makes things easier to handle even if it will never cure our ills or heal our pain, it can certainly make life more pleasant!