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Good morning.
I surrendered. I got memory foam. I worked five years to regain the use of my body enough to sit upright in a chair like "normal" for ten-twenty minutes, but spend most of my day at a 60* angle because it hurts less on my scarred up pelvis and such. Well, I was also off memory foam for a few months... not anymore. Pressure on scarring was not worth it. *sigh*
So on to the Tales of Tails!
Darkness... a screened-in porch in a cold night... a sliding door opens so a sucker of a human can bring in the food dishes before the possums and skunks visit... and a small furred shape zooooooooom-zooms past her, into her house! AIeeeeee! Gray! FUrry! Possum! No, wait, cat! No, wait, dog! No, wait... WTF? THere's a *squirrel* under the shelf in the corner?
Just as my mind figured out species... Zzzzzzzzoooooooommmmm..... Right past me again! Agh! Ack! Cosmos hates me! OMG! Invasion! Vermin! It's...
LilMiss from next door?! (That's a cat, btw.)
Apparently, she was "playing" with Mr. Squirrel on our porch ("Awwwww, she wanted to give us a Christmas present," cooed my hubby, who accuses me of being too soft-hearted), and, well, yeah, you can guess the rest. Actually, no, you can't.
Hubby used the snow shovel to remove Petrified Squirrel (but left me to get down in there and clean up Mr. Squirrel potty break, gee, thanks), and while he did that, I scooped up LilMiss Huff-and-Puff-and-Tear-My-House-Down, and delivered her next door with a smile and a laugh and a casual, "Oh, she looked pretty cold when I opened our door," and left it at that.
For the record, if a squirrel is terrified past fighting, they're easily removed by sliding a shovel under them, even if alive. I, myself, am glad he didn't think our (fake) Christmas tree was a good idea. LilMiss would've gone after him and then we'd need a new tree. I'll note, btw, that Mr. Squirrel might have run up the shovel handle, and this is why Hubby was wearing dish-washing gloves (?) and donned a trash bag poncho (in case it rained squirrel?)... I actually recommend dumping said animal immediately into a laundry sack and then relocating it outdoors, but the squirrel in question last night was basically too scared to move. It sat in the yard for about five minutes, panting, before it went up a tree and probably died there, quietly, in its nest, of pure shock.
All that, and my mom's got a colonoscopy scheduled for next week, but it's 7 weeks till they look at the eye that's going blind. Tell me again, why are we meant to respect doctors? Right, I don't!
***
In 1884, Levant Richardson received his patent for the ball-bearing roller skate. Those of us who ever skated now that once you lose the ball bearings, you're done, but what really confuses me is how anyoen managed to roller skate *without* the ball bearings... Isn't that like strapping two bad skateboards to your feet? Or two wooden toy trains? Huh.
In 1962, the epic film "Lawrence of Arabia" premiered in London. The movie (sorta) tells the story of TE Lawrence, who was a diplomat and author ("Seven Pillars of Wisdom" is his telling of his part in the Arab Revolt of 1916 onward), and if you look at the actor in the film (Peter O'Toole), the resemblance to the real Lawrence is rather uncanny. Lawrence helped the Brits decide whot o back int he revolt against Ottoman Turkish dominance, acted as liaison, raider, and spy (sorry, "intelligence gatherer", ahem), and after the war (aiming at Arab nationalism) ended, he went home with a promotion to colonel. PHotos of him dressed as a Bedouin became the iconic image of a picture show (literally a slide show type fo thing) about the "Orient" (anything east of Greece), and Lawrence became a popular figure of himself. He ended up a bureaucrat for a bit, hating it, and is still loathed in France to this day for "stirring up Syria" against French interests. Lawrence died at 46 after wrecking on his motorcycle. INteresting to note, his death by head injury from motorcycle crash led a neurologist to study head injury fatalities and eventually the use of helmets for motorcyclists both military and civilian.... So when you wear a motorcycle helmet, you partly have Lawrence of Arabia to thank. Yes, that's weird even for me.
Helmet laws, btw, are mandatory in many locations, but where not, you bet fatalities are higher due to head trauma. Shocking, right? *eyeroll* An excellent example of why to wear one is the fact paramedics call helmetless riders "organ donors". But hey, we need more organ donors, right? (Did that sound as bad as I think it did?)
***
Most other history today is dull or depressing, so I leave you with the image of my husband trying not to touch a squirrel with a six-foot pole (shovel) and leaving me to wrangle the cat, which btw, was not the easier option...
May your Friday be ... um... may no fur fly in your Friday! There! Alliteration and good wishes combined! WOot!
Cheers,
Leo
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Another day, another ouchie?My bruised achilles tendon (don't ask) makes my foot numb. Wonky on meds, whacked it.Now, as to fibro:A lot of reports are going around some parts of social media that fibro (and dang near anything else) are caused by post-Covid, post-flu, post-vaccinations, post-pick-something.1. Your risk of death or serious complications beyond "ow, that shot hurt!" are typically...
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Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
I had a busy day yesterday. Got my hair cut and then went on to gather up some needed gift cards for Christmas. The weather here is frigid which is not helping with pain levels. And, my knee is giving me six kinds of hell. It only hurts if I blink...
Today, I get my hair restored to it's former glory in the colour department. I like to mix things up and use two different stylists. One for cut and another for colour. And, it is an excuse for another social outing. Then, I have yet another list of gift cards needing to be rounded up. I wrote yesterday's list and todays based on which side of town I was going to be on. Today's list is short so I won't be on my feet very long.
I read everyone's post yesterday. I wish we could all just catch a break from anxiety, pain etc. Hoping that things are better today. May the force be with all of you!
Great stuff as always...Larry was quite a guy! I've had a few critter/cat things happen in the house too...a lot of times the cats will carry in live critters so that they can continue the game inside. It's especially nice when they bring in a bird! Lots of fun....:-)
Fantod,
Glad to hear that you are getting your Christmas stuff done! We have some stuff to do but I just don't feel like going to the store. Maybe I'll dig through my stuff and gift stuff that I never use??
Well...trying to be more positive today. ummmm The Vikes haven't lost yet this weekend! Gin was trying to get Sparty to play with a cat scratching toy that has a ball in it this morning...and he DID (which he promptly destroyed but he did play with it while wrecking it)! As you can see, lots of great stuff happening in the frozen tundra!
Hoping everyone smiles a little today!
Kel
Fantod, you are up early today. I hope your pain levels get better, and especially that knee. Enjoy your hair appointment.
I took off work to get my Jeep fixed and then wrap Christmas presents. I hurt so much I don't want to move. Well I better get the girls and head out to school. Talk to everyone more later. Have a good Friday!
Kel, LOL, yeah, dogs always enjoy that cat toy more than any cat. What's wth that?
Factoid, glad to hear you're getting some self-care time!
Twin, sorry today sucks on the pain end. Hopefully you can just take it slow today.
As for me, today is turning out to be interesting... I'm guessing getting to bed later than normal due to the hubby's Christmas party may have something to do with it. Adding to the pain today is vertigo, nausea and a complete inability to think. I thought of something to add to the grocery list got it out and then forgot, remembered and then couldn't remember how to spell it.... cheese. So today should be interesting. At least the pain hasn't flared all the way yet, still sitting around a 4 on that crazy arbitrary pain scale the doctors make you use. Well like I said, can't think so I'm glad it's sunny today (even if it is 32 degrees), I got to wear jeans to work since it's Friday and get to not cook this eve (Friday night is Daye night with the hubby where he deals with dinner).
Friday is our Date Night, too. Hubby's big plan is to watch a movie about Nazi Germany. Wow, feeling the romance?
Leo, of all the timing for the cat to be chasing a squirrel. Very interesting fact about picking it up with a shovel when it's very scared. I suppose they don't call it "petrified" for nothing. I suppose your mother's colonoscopy would be done by a different department (let's hope, eh?) with different wait times. It does make me wonder what eye patients they are prioritising, if losing sight in one eye doesn't put fire to their shins. Maintaining respect for doctors feels so very difficult most of the times. Hang in there!
Fantod, I can't say I envy you your day's plan. Hairdressers and I can never see eye to eye. No matter how hard I try, they never give me what I asked for, and I always end up furious for an overly lengthy and expensive "service." I gave up over ten years ago, haha. I'll do my own dyeing and cutting. Good luck with all the holiday shopping. My partner wouldn't really accept yesterday that you just don't give Christmas gifts to colleagues here, so we had to find a type of gift that would raise the least awkwardness. Have a good day!
Kel, I'm not surprised a cat toy didn't last very long, but it sounds like an endearing scene. I still laugh thinking back about my childhood cat. The neighbours had a Bouvier (big dogs), and we had a diminutive cat with huge ego problems. The head of the Bouvier was bigger than she was, but every time he poked it through the fence, she would run up and start slapping his cheeks at lightning speed. That big dog was so scared of her that I don't think it ever occurred to her how small she was. I hope you'll have smiles today, too. :)
Twinmom, I really hope you'll have some time to rest in between/after those errands. You always seem so behind on rest to let your body (and mind) catch up. My heart goes out to you, my friend. I hope that you'll be able to surround yourself with some nice things today to relax. I often put on a family show or comedy show that I already know when I putter around the house, so that I can focus on that in times that my thoughts would otherwise take darker turns. Take care, Twinmom.
Maynard, ai, that's quite the brain fog day! I'm especially great at getting up, forgetting why I got up, looking around and thinking "ah, I can do that," and then doing something completely different than why I was getting up. When I sit down, I of course remember why I initially got up and have to get up again! And the pain scale is indeed dynamic, if you ask me. I can call myself a 7 on a bad day of a good period, but when I end up in a super flare, I would be at a 45 if I have to consider that earlier pain as a 7. Enjoy date night, sounds fun!
I'm pulling out of a flare I got into after yet another failed viewing. It's boring to explain in detail, but social housing here is akin to a first come, first served idea, so no matter how great and lovely we are, we can't get the place if others on the list before us want it and meet the criteria. I ended up having to run for my tram, since I was in an area where I would have to wait for the next tram while standing in the cold. The running managed to completely mess me up, of course. In less than ten seconds? *rolls eyes* Ever so chuffed with this body.
Getting ready to skype with my partner. She'll be home on Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday. Talk about a gift. :) I rather hate my birthday, though, and it's beyond annoying that somehow, I am the one that's rude when I don't want to do anything or see anyone for my birthday. Supposedly "my" day, but it's rude if I don't fully conform to spending it with people in all the socially dictated ways? Yes, I'll pass on that hypocrisy, thank you very much. And they just DON'T believe you when you say you don't care. That is a sign of depression, or that you're mad at them and trying to lash out at them (don't even get me started on the "I'm mad at you, so I'm going to make myself miserable to make you upset" rubbish mindset). No, when I say I can't be bothered because I don't care, it means I can't be bothered because I don't care. *screams it off the rooftops*
*deep breath* I'll try to act sane again, now. :)
Smiles and good vibes to all.
Fantod, it sounds like you have another full day and some pampering too. Sorry your knee is giving you fits. I colored my hair the other night and after getting everything on my head realized that I was missing something that went into the developer. OOPS. I just added it to the top of my head. The color turned out fine, I think it was more for moisturizing. I hope you get everything accomplished today and that you knee feels a bit better.
I am glad Sparty is playing with toys, even if he destroys them. One dog I had years ago had a stuffed toy he loved. My mom must have sewn the stuffing back in it at least a couple dozen times. I hope you can get some things done this weekend that you want to but hope it is all inside. Stay warm my friend.
Twin, I am glad you took today off. Hopefully it will take a little stress off from you.
Maynard, hoping your day can only go up from here! I am happy to hear that hubby deals with dinner tonight. That takes some pressure off. My hubby works at home a lot so he is pretty good about that, after he calls me a couple times to see what is for dinner.
Sonya, I am sorry about the viewing and running. I know it takes a toll on you. Yay for your partner coming home. Hoping your flare keeps subsiding. Try to have a good day. I am glad you get to Skype your partner too.
Well, the holiday/award shindig is over. Of course my supervisor stated she almost didn’t attend. Which sent me into a tizzy. You let the “event coordinator” have the day off and you weren’t coming to help (which she ultimately did NOTHING. Showed up after all the food was out and was socializing while I and a few coworkers cleared the tables, folded them up, stored them and rearranged the chairs. It’s over. I struggled to get out of bed today. I just didn’t want to face the day. Sitting at the game last night was horrible. My back was screaming. The hot tub helped a bit. Tonight hubby wants to go to Sam’s Club but said “we will see how you feel”. So, that’s my plans for the day.
Leo, I like the picture you described of your husband with the shovel, gloves on his hands, and plastic trash bag over his body! LOL! I pictured him ready for the squirrel to run up the shovel and then run around on him. Too funny for sure. The only furry surprises we get around here is Riley, the leftover cat. Otherwise, it's centipedes, geckos, jackson chameleons, roaches the size of rats, crab spiders in herds, and other fun bugs. Oh, and the cicadas came out the other night for their loud sing song but then it rained again a few hrs later so it shut em up. You know, I can't believe they're waiting 7 weeks to check her eye! WTH!! What if they can save some of her vision by catching it NOW? Is there any way to speed that appt up?
It's been raining for like 2 weeks now. We did have that one day where the sun came out for a fw hours - half a day. And every now and then a sun ray will pop out for a few mins, but other than that, it's overcast, dark clouds and rain. When the sun ray pops out, I go out on the porch and try to catch it and stick my toes in it. Yesterday was so dark, I swear the sun never rose. Sheesh. My horse was caked in mud head to toe. He's half white and half brown, looks like he's dipped in chocolate. But he was all brown yesterday. They handed me a brush and said good luck grooming him! I asked if there was a power washer or a drive through car wash near by. I did the best I could but he didn't look any different.
My husband was really good at taking care of my mom yesterday. She had phone calls, emails, and needed forms printed and he sat with her for a couple of hours to take care of them. It calmed her down and *kept* her calm and I was able to go to horse therapy because of that. I'm so glad he stepped up like that (actually I dragged him out of bed, but you know...).
My husband has a meeting at the college today and then a little Christmas party. A couple days ago he asked me to come, but then last night he said he changed his mind and said it may be for staff only.
Kel, I think gifting unused stuff around the house is a great idea! lol
Fantod, Yay for getting your hair done! I managed to comb some blue in a couple days ago using the mirror (I couldn't get mom or my husband to help me) and I noticed yesterday I missed a couple of blonde hi-lights. I am sure you will look gorgeous when they're done.
Back in a sec....
Maynard, I hope you had a good time at the party last night. I hope work day goes by fast for you and then you can let the relaxing weekend begin. :-) Enjoy date night!
Sonya, I know I need more rest, but it always makes me feel so useless and I only sit and think terrible things about myself. I'm sorry you are still looking for a new place, but I am super glad your partner is coming home next week on your birthday. I hope she plans to keep it low key for you.
bbmom, I'm sorry your back was screaming after doing all of that work. I couldn't have sat at a game after that. I hope today goes better for you and you get some rest this weekend.
Blue, I'm so glad your hubby helped your mom, even if you had to ask him. I hope you have a good Friday even though it sounds like your hubby is going to a work party w/o you. I hate that companies do that. My work does the same thing and we have ours next Friday. I'm so glad you got some time away from your mom too. Hugs
I'm feeling so emotional and hurt all the time these days. I'm not sure what to do about it.
Maynard, vertigo, nausea, etc, added to the usual fibro sufferings is no fun at all! I'm sorry your brainfog is so bad. I struggle through fog every day, too, and it's awful. Makes you feel like a dummy when you know there's an intelligent brain in there somewhere hiding in a dark corner w/ cobwebs.
Sonya, oh no. Running for the tram before viewing the place. And now you're paying for it with a flare. What a shame. Hey, it's *your* birthday. You can do with it what you want. If you want to go out and party OR sit home naked, it's your business. People have a hard time getting that, I guess. At least she'll be coming home for it :)
Bbmom, I would fire the event coordinator next time you see her (that she's fired from all future event planning), just to make a point. And your supervisor should get some coal for Christmas lol. I'm sorry. I hope your back starts feeling better soon. Hoping you have a relaxing weekend planned.
We too are watching a movie for date night... Concussion (the football movie with Will Smith, also super romantic). I hope everyone is able to enjoy their evenings however possible. Thanks for letting me rant.