Category Archives: Fibromyalgia

{five favorites}: Miscellanea (LXIV)

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#5Faves

One

This good news. A species of starfish that was dying off has made a rebound. Given that they’re a keystone species and they predict the health of the ocean, this is amazing news.

Two

Tuesday being over. A psych appointment for Daniel, errands, a massive meltdown over Daniel’s communication issues… I was happy to go to sleep and end the day.

Three

Prescription sunglasses. Mine have disappeared and I’m really missing them today as I’m fighting a fibromyalgia flare-up and migraine.

Four

The DMV counter at my local AAA office. If you live in certain states (California being one of them) and you’re a AAA member, you can go to your local AAA office to register your car, renew your driver’s license, and do a couple other DMV tasks. I was able to go in and put my car in my name and it only took 5 minutes compared to the hours I would have spent at the DMV.

Five

Grey kitties with tummies. My parents’ cat Homer is rolling around on the patio exposing his tummy. It is very soft and he is purring. He is a wonderful “loaner cat” for me. (He also loves Daniel.)

Go love up Bonnie and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Day Book: May 2, 2016

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**NOTE** I did one yesterday and then found that the prompts had changed a bit when I went to link up. I’ve got some spare time this morning so I’m redoing it for today. Also, for anyone that needs the new prompts and wants some code for them to insert into an entry, click here and copy/paste into a text editor so that you can create a text file (*.txt file) with them for use every week.

For Today… May 2, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… sunny and clear. I think it is supposed to be in the 80’s.

I am thinking… about the things that are supposed to be happening this week. I apologize for vague-blogging but I can’t talk about the upheaval in my life until things are more set in stone. (It’s nothing bad — just a lot of uncertainty.)

I am thankful… for the day trips with my parents and Daniel this weekend. We went to Henry Cowell Redwoods on Saturday and the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Sunday.

One of my favorite things… café vanilla frappucinos at Starbucks. I’m also a fan of functional Internet and functional plumbing but that’s another story for another day!

I am wearing… charcoal fitted shirt from Old Navy and jeans from Kohl’s.

I am creating my temperature afghan. I’m 2 months behind now but I will eventually get caught up.

I am listening to… the Reply All podcast which was recommended to me by a couple friends. This episode involves an email malfunction that tangents into stories of survival in a Chinese concentration camp during World War II. The story that the woman tells is told in a very cheerful and matter of fact way that seems to be somewhat common among survivors of concentration camps in Europe and Indonesia that I’ve met. (If you have a sizeable Jewish population, you probably have someone of that generation who survived and emigrated from Europe afterwards, so I remember hearing probably 5-10 of them speaking to us in middle school and high school. The one I know who was in the Indonesian one was one of my seminary professors.)

I am hoping… my fibromyalgia medication snafu gets resolved soon. (My PA is being a jerk about refilling my meds and is referring me to a rheumatologist. After he mansplained fibromyalgia to me on Thursday, I may or may not have ripped his head off and got a ONE TIME LAST REFILL because I managed to make logical sense. Of course, he cut my dose in half but half a dose is better than no dose.)

I am learning… to just shake things off. It helped me when I came out of the house this morning and found a flat tire. I rolled my eyes, went back in the house to drop my stuff off, and got ready to change it on my own. My mom saw this and replied, “Just call AAA. It’s why we have them.” OK. They had someone out to change it in 15 minutes and while I missed my meeting this morning, it wasn’t an essential one and we were able to just check in by phone.

In my kitchen… no clue on dinner tonight. Dad did the normal Sunday fare of steak, tater tots, and Caesar salad last night and all the adults ate outside by lantern light. Fun fun fun.

In the school room… I have an IEP amendment meeting for Daniel on Thursday afternoon to go over occupational therapy goals.

Post Script… for all who read the selfish essay on “meternity leave” from the NY Post, there are some good rebuttals and satires here, here (tw: language), and here (tw: mention of body parts). I think the last one is the best one of all.

Shared Quote… I think I’ll share my Facebook commentary on the above foolishness!

“Is of the opinion that she can have a “meternity” leave for self-discovery and growth if she is willing to gain 50+ lbs over a 7-month period, have emergency surgery requiring at least a 8 week recovery (from which she returns 2.5 weeks early for financial reasons), deal with scar tissue adhesions on her abdomen every time she moves, and then give up regular sleep for a year following it.”

Because, you know, it’s not like that all happened to me or anything…

A moment from my day… Here’s a picture of my very silly and ticklish boy and me at the Monterey Bay Aquarium yesterday.

My silly boy and me at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Closing Notes: Someone shared this story on the winners of the Biggest Loser and their weight gain battles in one of my Facebook groups and it makes SO. MUCH. SENSE.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: Superbowl 2016 Edition

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 7, 2016

Outside my window… dark. It was in the 80’s today which is crazy for February in northern California. The Super Bowl was being played in my area so I have a feeling there were A LOT of prayers being lifted for good weather. The Blue Angels even decided to come party in my neighborhood… TWICE! #flyover #NorthernCaliforniaFTW

I am thinking… about how my week is looking and what I need to add to my planner.

I am thankful… for a relatively chill weekend.

In the kitchen… steak, baked potatoes, and caesar salad for dinner with spumoni and Lofthouse cookies for dessert. I think my parents have caught wind of my Lenten plans this year and are trying to make sure that the lead up to 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday is fabulous.

I am wearing… navy shirt and black capri sweats.

I am going… for a walk tomorrow morning if I’m not in too much pain. *shakes fist at fibromyalgia*

I am wondering… about how to best blog on this. I wrote about it in 2012 when the lawsuit was cleared to go to trial. I feel horrible for the woman’s daughter — how awful must it be to know (if nobody has told her yet) that her mother views her as an inconvenience and sued because she didn’t get to abort her? It’s not like the daughter isn’t going to discover all of this later on if she ever googles herself.

I am reading… Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. I had to put A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley down because it was due at the library and I also wasn’t in a good place mentally to read it. Lenten reading is shaping up to be Calmness by H.H. Pope Shenouda III and Seven Last Words: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with Jesus by James Martin, S.J. which just came out in February.

I am hoping… for some direction as to how my life should go.

I am looking forward to… Lent Madness! It is, like, SOOOOOOOOO much cooler than the Super Bowl.

I am hearing… the TV on in my mom’s office.

A Daniel story for today… when the little monster wakes up in the middle of the night (usually when I’m trying to fall asleep), he turns to me and says “hi” before demanding milk/cheese/my credit card.

Around the house… the hall got painted on Friday and I think my parents are painting the hall ceiling on Tuesday.

A favorite quote for today… “But it was true. I was constantly surprised how the storied names of biblical locales popped up in the most familiar of circumstances: on a simple map, on a graffitied street sign, or in everyday conversations. ‘The traffic to Bethlehem was terrible last night!’ said a Jesuit over dinner one night. Which still didn’t beat ‘Gehenna is lovely.'” — James Martin, S.J. in Jesus: A Pilgrimage (which I *HIGHLY* recommend if you need Lenten reading this year)

One of my favorite things… people-watching during worship. Anyone who has ever sat with me in church should not be remotely surprised.

A few plans for the rest of the week: crocheting while watching Super Bowl commercials, making phone calls on Daniel’s behalf, ashes on Wednesday, Bible study/choir on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… This is just funny. #HoneyBadgersFTW

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

Things That Are Saving My Life Right Now

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Colleen of Martin Family Moments posted her list of things that are saving her sanity so I’ve decided to join her and the others who are doing the link-up with Anne at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

[+] My temperature afghan. I’m still behind but it has given me something to do with my hands while I process other things happening in my life. It also helps me to focus at Bible study.

[+] Lent Madness. I am seriously looking forward to Lent Madness and the silliness that usually ensues as saints and holy people are pitted against each other to determine who wins the Golden Halo.

[+] Emergency Kittens. I’m not sure that people who hate this Twitter account actually have souls. Watching cute kitten videos and seeing wonderful cat pictures is the whole point of the Internet, right? It certainly cheers ME up! #crazycatlady

[+] Walks. When it isn’t raining and I’m not spending mornings at the federal courthouse curating Daniel’s SSI file, I love being able to go for walks and have some quiet prayer time. It also keeps the fibromyalgia at bay.

[+] Iced vanilla lattés. Because coffee needs to taste like ice cream.

[+] My NOOK. I love that I now have a portable library that fits in my purse. Currently on my NOOK: Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber.

[+] Cross-Stitch World. Cross-Stitch World is the weirdest idea for a game/app ever but it works for me. It does for me what coloring does for other people apparently.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 3, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 3, 2016

Outside my window… dark and showering a little bit. It was sunny and 61F when I went to church and $tarbux with Rebecca today. It got grey later on when the storms started rolling in and we ended up getting some sprinkles. The fun is supposed to be Monday night into Tuesday. Bring it, El Niño!

I am thinking… about the temperature blanket I’ve planned to do. Herrschners hasn’t shipped my yarn yet so I might have quite a bit to make up when it finally does arrive! I’m thinking I’ll do either this pattern or this pattern as I’ll have 366 rows plus edging to do!.

I am thankful… that my kiddo went to sleep around 7 and has largely stayed asleep. It meant that I could get my mom’s help in getting the fleece cut for my dad’s Christmas present which will be tied on Tuesday while I’m sitting and meeting with someone.

In the kitchen… I’m feeling so crummy from this mutant death cold and fibro flare (because nasal congestion is just so much more enhanced with moving fibro pain, right?) that I just heated up some frozen pizza. Thankfully, I didn’t have any eating resolutions for the New Year!

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers shirt and black sweats. (They’re my jammies tonight.)

I am going… to go back to watching Viperkeeper videos when I finish this post. Well… it’s either that or draft one on Titus 2 women.

I am wondering… if I’ll be able to make the necessary appointments for Daniel and I this week or if I’ll have to take the kiddo to Urgent Care to get more Adderall. (Our insurance changed and I spent the afternoon of the 31st working out who our doctors will be because all the ones near me or admit to my local hospital that are on Santa Clara Family Health Plan aren’t taking new patients.)

I am reading… Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs. After that, I’ll tackle A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley. Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber is on hold until I get through all the stuff from the library. Thankfully, it’s mostly essays so it’s OK. *pets my e-reader*

I am hoping… I win at least extra stars in the Starbucks for Life contest.

I am looking forward to… Bible study with my ladies on Thursday and the Eucharists for Epiphany on Wednesday.

I am hearing… silence as Daniel is asleep, my mom is asleep (though her TV is on), and Dad is at the other end of the house watching something on PBS.

A Daniel story for today… When the kiddo wakes up after falling asleep on the heating vent, he’ll crawl into bed with me; and for some odd reason, his feet have to be touching me for him to sleep… and they’re usually cold! As a result, I’ve been having to make kind of a blanket fortress to protect myself and keep myself warm.

Around the house… the painting continues. Mom got her bedroom closet done this weekend.

A favorite quote for today… “Praise youth and it will prosper.” — Irish proverb that I think is very true, especially after hearing some of my husband’s former parishioners grousing about “young people” in his last parish. (The “young people” in question were 50-60 years old!)

One of my favorite things… uninterrupted sleep. I rarely get it these days.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Target and errands tomorrow, long drive for a meeting on Tuesday and possibly Knit Wits, Epiphany worship on Wednesday, Bible study and choir on Thursday, doctor’s appointments at some time during the week, and a games night with friends on Saturday. Oh yes… the kid goes back to school on Tuesday which is a good thing — he needs more structure than I can give him, especially when I’m this sick and barely able to adult on my own.

A peek into my day… Daniel asleep on me right before our trip to Washington for Christmas

Daniel sleeping on me.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 21, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 21, 2015

Outside my window… drizzly and in the 50’s. I’m loving it.

I am thinking… about what I need to do in the next few days.

I am thankful… for a warm and sheltered place to be during the rain. Dad made a fire in the fireplace last night and Daniel fell asleep snuggled up against me watching it.

In the kitchen… probably a frozen dinner of some nature. It’s about time for me to figure all of that out for today.

I am wearing… charcoal shirt from Old Navy and jeans from Kohl’s. I’m fairly simple in terms of my fashion tastes.

I am going… to the post office either tomorrow or Wednesday to drop Christmas cards into the mail.

I am wondering… how easily Daniel will go to bed tonight. I’m hoping he’s not too much of a live wire. I’m exhausted from sleeping badly last night.

I am reading… nothing but my read the Bible in a year program at the moment. I read and finished A Place Called Hope by Phillip Gulley last week. It felt a little too close to home but it was still pretty good.

I am hoping… my Shutterfly cards arrive today. *shakes an achy fist at UPS for sending my package to Kalispell and back by way of Helena, Salt Lake City, and San Pablo*

I am looking forward to… seeing my extended family.

I am hearing… a Celtic Christmas CD that Daniel likes. He is currently curled up in my mom’s lap listening.

A Daniel story for today… when I got home on Wednesday from Daniel’s 30-Day IEP meeting, Daniel was sitting on the love seat listening to the Celtic Christmas CD. He then pulled Mom and I onto the love seat with him and just wanted to be cuddled and have his hair stroked. We’re wondering if it was related to it being the first time that I hadn’t met his bus here. (Mom met his bus because I was at the meeting.)

Around the house… the kitchen is almost done being redone. All we need is the tile which will arrive tomorrow.

A favorite quote for today… “In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it ‘Christmas’ and went to church; the Jews called it ‘Hanukkah’ and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say ‘Merry Christmas!’ or ‘Happy Hanukkah!’ or (to the atheists) ‘Look out for the wall!” — Dave Barry

One of my favorite things… S’mores ice cream.

A few plans for the rest of the week: getting out of the house tomorrow for the time when the contractor is putting up the tile, doing some last minute shopping at Target,

A peek into my day… A flashback to 6 years ago!

Grandma with Daniel at Christmas 2009.

Post Script… There is an app on Facebook called Cross-Stitch World where you can complete cross-stitch patterns with your mouse. It sounds like a weird thing but I find it very soothing. Go check it out!

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

How I Do My Christmas Cards Every Year

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I was having an email conversation with Laura of Coptic Dad and Mom about various things and we got on the subject of Christmas cards. She was saying that she’d love to have a card tradition and while I was telling her about how I do mine, I realized that this might be a good blog post. I’m not quite as amazing at writing these posts as Kathryn of Team Whitaker is, but I’ll give it a try. 🙂

The Cards: My hand gets crampy when I do a lot of writing (*shakes aching fist at fibromyalgia*) so I mainly stick to photo cards. I normally use Shutterfly because I’ve gotten great deals from them and I can get a chunk of my cards free because of Pampers Rewards points. If I don’t use those points, Shutterfly usually gives codes for sales and stuff that actually knock my purchase price down a bit. They also tend to fill orders pretty quickly. Another good alternative is the Costco Photo Center which has very reasonable prices. Had I not had the Pampers Rewards points, I probably would have gone with them because of the price. With both Costco Photo Center and Shutterfly, you can pick a template, insert photos, and customize your message. This part saves my aching hands from having to sign cards and write all the messages as well as providing the photo that shows your kiddos or your cats off to your family and friends.

If you love to write cards, Moo might be a good option for you. You can personalize the insides to say whatever you want them to say.

Address Labels: I have a BIG Excel file with all my addresses in it which I store on my cloud. It’s useful other times of the year as well when I need an address for a card or a baby shower present or whatever. Avery makes templates that you can download to create your address labels and I generally do that, sticking as close as I can to the design of my card. (Shutterfly offers matching address labels but they’re too pricey for the amount I need.) In order to make the labels, I go into Word and do a mail merge which is not all that hard to do if you know where everything is supposed to go. Thankfully, there’s a wizard that talks you through all of it. Once labels are made, I print them

Postage: It’s a necessary evil. Some post offices have kiosks where you can buy stamps from a machine or make shipping labels for a package. Take full advantage of those as they are usually not busy and the line to get to the counter moves at a glacial pace.

Assembling: Once I have the stamps, the cards, and the labels, I put it together assembly-line style. I aim to do this when Daniel is at school or otherwise occupied. If I have any choice in the matter, I take the whole thing to $tarbux and put on YouTube videos or a movie from Netflix that I have always wanted to see to have something to watch while I work. One indispensable product is an envelope moistener for sealing the envelopes. I got one at Staples two years ago and it was the best $1.25 I have ever spent. Once the envelopes are stuffed, labels attached, and everything has postage, I walk around the corner to the post office and dump them in the bin.

So that’s how I do it. If you want to get cards out and are stuck, email me — I’d be happy to help. I’m jen (at) grace-filled (dot) net.