Fibromyalgia Support Group
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Good morning!
Finally, appetite returns after the Dreaded Cold Virus... Finally!
Naturally, I immediately thought, "Fudge sauce on waffles!"
Nope. Whoel wheat toast, sans butter, and some sunflower nuts.
Today, I run errands for Mom, and listen to Mom tell me that 1. I want her to die during her cataract surgery (Monday next) and 2. she hates me for the eyedrop incident of my early teens (in which she ordered me to give her eyedrops after she wimped out, and to do so "like I do to you", and apparently Mom never forgave me for being her) and 3. she wants my assurance that she'll die if anything goes wrong in cataract surgery.
Statistically, you're far more likely to have harm come to you on the way to and from aforesaid surgery, but hey! My mom's beeing grinding her imminent death in my face for days! Why stop now? ARGH!
Do I sympathize? Yes. Eyes. Scary. Do I want her to shut the fudge up so I can sleep at night and not have visions of her DNR order dancing in my head at 230AM? Yes, yes, I do. I'm human. I'm tired. I don't like being reminded that her life/death is in my hands. (No pressure!)... Who does? OK, maybe some surgeons somewhere, but not *me*. THat's my mom, and I've spent years now being her advocate, her legal proxy, etc. It's a bloody stupid cataract surgery. She hates eyedrops and eye doctors. OK. But it's this or legal blindness in that eye, so... Let's stop talking life-death and start talking, "What book will you read first?"... Y'know. Optimistic stuff!
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So. Who invented fudge anyway? (Besides probably an ancestor of mine.)
Our first record of fudge comes from teh 1880s, when a store in Baltimore was selling it for $0.40 a pound, according to one story. That same story likes to say this originated from Vassar, where fudge was called "Vassar chocolates", but other woemn's colleges liked the confection so much that the recipe and taste for fudge swept the highly-educated female portion of the nation. This being the 1880s-1890s, of course, women did not often if ever attend the same colleges as men. (Vassar, Bryn Mawr, Wellesley, etc.).
We can confirm that fudge is American.
What we don't know is why that origin story above says that the botched caramel candy was ever called "fudge". Allegedly, someone said, "Oh fudge!" as they mucked up the caramel. Since that word was used clear back to about 1800 to mean "bungle" (he bungled it = he fudged it) and to mean "nonsense" (what fudge!)... But we see no recipes until the last yearse of the 1800s... It may be true.
How exactly do you get from caramel (a boiling sugar syrup to which cream is added) to fudge (a generally chocolate confection including sugar and cream)? Well, if you add the cream (or milk) in with the sugar from the start? You don't get crystalized yummy buttery creamy caramel. You get... well, fudge. This is because you can't get the sugar to a high enough temperature without ending in some nasty scorched dairy product all over the place... Cream does odd things after certain temperatures, and you don't want them as a rule.
Another story says fudge was created when a toffee-making foray went awry. Since toffee involves cooking sugar and butter to a browned gooey muck, and in modern times topping with chocolate and/or stirring in nuts... I can see this one a bit more readily than botched straight caramels.
Anyway, fudge originally wasn't necssarily chocolate. You could have anything in it as long as it had the texture (smooth) and the feel (not soft, not hard) and the texture shouldn't be dry or grainy, either. If you get dry fudge, btw, you can just re-melt it with a bit of milk and "start over". Re-cook it, and beat the dickens out of it.
Now, of course, fudge is usually chocolate. And we have corn syrup to keep things easy in the cooking, but I never use the stuff if I can avoid it, and so I just gotta deal with the possibilities when I make fudge.
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So... we don't know but we eat it anyway, and you can get it in fruit, nut, etc., flavors, as a chocoltae, or not-chocolate, and it's basically a calorie explosion, and I'll just eat the chocolate without all that fuss!
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Have a fudge-free Friday! (No nonsense, no blunders, I mean...)
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We're all troubled.WSo, to remind ourselves we're not at rock bottom (this is a reverse optimism thing I learned as a kid):We are not living on the island of Krakatoa when the volcano goes boom!Yeah, okay, that sucks.***Toay in 1942, Pierre Laval announced that the way to free France was for Germany to win WW2. Pierre did not win a lot of friends. When the war ended, quite quickly he was tried...
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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...
We are starting to warm back up here. While it was 1 degree when I got in the car the forecast is for 27 or something like that. I am hoping that there will be some kind of relief for my body with the better weather and that the change to 55 by Monday doesn't bring on it's own set up problems. I am hoping to get my car back today which would be so wonderful. I miss driving my own car and how comfortable it is.
I was able to do a little catch-up reading from yesterday and feel like we could all just use a big warm cozy hug followed by a nice soft blanket, a heat pack, and something wonderful to read. Fantod I hope they got the appropriate place for your mom and are getting her settled. Twin I hope the meds worked for you; I know mine will make my stomach hurt too if I've been backed up. Ida, I'm glad you made it to the pharmacy then home to warmth safely. Wonder I hope you were able to get rid of the anxious energy yesterday and are feeling better today. Blue, I hope you got your truck back and that you are staying cozy and dry out of the rain. Those cookies sound delicious!
Sorry if I missed anyone, sending hugs out to all.
Right now how I feel is pretty flippin irritated. I called my neuro's office 3 weeks ago today. They called me back twice that day. The last person whom I spoke to said they were leaving a message for the doctor. So on Monday I emailed. A person responded and said that I emailed the wrong office. OK, well I emailed the last person who responded to me, so what was up with that? So I sent the email directly to the doctor. I have heard not a thing back. At this point I don't know if she is dismissing me from care, has left the practice, is on vacation or what. I realize she is not the one who answers the emails that come through the patient portal, but shouldn't someone?
Meanwhile, the I know that the doctor is ordering and then cancelling things with the insurance company, because they are notifying me in writing whenever she does this. And then I have to call them because I have no idea WTH she's doing. At the agent level they usually can't tell me what she is ordering, becuase they say that by the time I get the notice they can no longer see in the system what she's ordered, just if it was a drug, procedure, etc. She's ordered so much since December 10th that the insurance is calling me and wants me to have some kind of "team" that I call when I need care. I tried to opt out, but can't get ahold of a human being to tell them that. Guess I will try declining that through their interface. *sigh*
This neuro claimed she knew all this stuff and that "no one has given you care." She tried ONE drug, on which she didn't appropriately monitor me and then went directly to Botox. I MIGHT have tried the Botox, but she also ordered injections to "chemically destroy" the nerves in my face! I am using those, thanks. And she has yet to tell me that those were part of the injections. I only know because it come through on the insurance company info.
I'm exhausted, my insomnia is back in full force. I was sweating with the cats on me last night despite it being 5 degrees out, I had to actually take off some clothes and it still took 2 hours to fall asleep. I'm pretty sure this is hormone related because I've been feeling pretty normal for about 10 days now and this is usually how everything starts. I have the day off today at least. Today I need to get a haircut, walk Miki and cook dinner, and I'd also like to work on the owl drawing for bf. I'm sore from my run but I did get my floors finished in the bathroom and it looks really nice (except behind the toilet because I was down to scraps of tile, but really no one is going to look there). And I did order the island... I figured the next cheapest one that I liked was $200 more than this one, and it had lots of very positive reviews so I wanted to make sure I got it before it went out of stock or back to nearly $800. I need to go get stuff done so I have some time to relax later, I hope everyone has a good day
Leo, your poor mom has a very case of anxiety. Is she taking anything for it? If not, she should be. I wish she wasn't stressing you out again. I hope it goes by really fast with no complications whatsoever.
Painedone, it's good that you did something good for your body yesterday. I hope you feel like going to the gym later, and if you do let's hope for little to no pain after it.
Maynard, I always hate when my Jeep is in the shop and I have to drive something else. I hope your car is working great when you pick it up. Yay for it warming up some. I hope you're able to stay warm inside.
puppymom, I do not like your doctor or insurance company. It sounds like you are completely left in the dark, and the healthcare is supposed to be for you. That makes no sense to me. I hope you get some answers soon and some pain relief.
Miki, you won't regret that island, I love mine. I'm glad you get Friday off, it sounds like a busy day don't forget to rest.
Bear, I"m so glad you checked in. I have been praying for you and hoping that your son was helping a lot. (((Hugs)))
Everything hurts today, even stuff that doesn't normally. I really want a heating pad and couch, but this is the busiest day of the month for me at work. I need to hit it hard. I'll check back later.
I hope everyone has the best day possible.
Miki your days off are so busy. Try a nap sometime today even if only for a few minutes. I love owls. Good for you for ordering the island you deserve it.
Maynard I hope the day goes by quickly for you. I hope as it warms up your body will let up on the pain.
Puppymom I am irritated with your doctor's office. They should include you in all decisions and keep you informed. Is there a members services that you can file a complaint with?
Bear praying for quick and complete healing. Keep us informed how it is going and don't be afraid to complain when it gets rough.
Angela it sounds like a busy day for you today. I hope the weekend finds lots of down time to take care of yourself. I buy meats when on sale and stock up. It is scary how expensive they are.
Twins I am sending you lots of warm hugs to brighten your day. I hope the day passes quickly for you and you can spend some time this weekend laying with that heating pad.
I have a doctor's appt today for the pea size spot in my breast. I am also going to have her look at the spots as they just keep multiplying. I will have her check out this congestion as well to be sure it isn't more than a chest cold. I dread this because I am so prone to bronchitis. My partner is going out to dinner with her family tonight so I may stop by my favorite soup place and pick up a bowl for dinner. They make the best soup and sourdough rolls.
Hi to all who follow and have a great weekend.
Leo, your mom sounds like she's panicking and needs to calm way, way down. Can the eye doc call her and ease her anxiety? Otherwise she's just taking it out on you. I hope you get to treat yourself today and have some fudge.
Ow, my jaw! I must be clenching... maybe in my sleep or subconsciously during the day? Does heat help this pain? I checked my calendar and don't see the neuro till March (botox). I have Rheumatology later this month, though, I think for a follow up on Sjogren's.
Rant warning and TMI warning: I had a major cat poo incident to clean up last night. When Hershey has trouble going to the litter box (IBD), sometimes she'll scoot her bottom across the floor, usually just for a few feet. I was trying to figure out what smelled so horrible in the living room and then caught her in the act. Stopped her and locked her in the catio... but the damage was already done. She had smeared poo all over the entire living room. It was under the table, behind the couch, all around the chairs, zig-zagged from one wall to the opposite wall. I mean she literally got the whole room. And the floor is a dark brown color too (same as her poo) and I wanted to be sure I got everything, so I scrubbed / mopped the whole floor and entry way. It's a good thing our "floor" is a concrete slab with vinyl coating. I would have died if it was carpet.
We kept Hershey locked in the catio all night (don't worry she had water and litter boxes). My husband did it to punish her... but I had sanitary reasons for doing it.... in case she was still having bathroom issues- I really, REALLY didn't feel like letting her make a mess all through the house again. (And I know my husband won't help clean it, either, I've seen him walk past puddles of puke and completely ignore it.)
I couldn't find a ride to get my truck yesterday, but hubby is available to take me today. On the way home, I'll stop at the library to pick up 2 books and a pit stop at the grocery store. I gotta write the essay and I misunderstood the instructions, so I'm scrambling at a last minute to find resources. I'm trying not to panic. Laundry is also piling up and should be taken to the laundry mat today or tomorrow (I'm hoping my husband will volunteer, but I highly doubt it). Hubby has science olympiad tomorrow that he's preparing for.
Back in a sec.
PainedOne, yay for less pain today.
Maynard, hooray for warmer weather coming your way. I hope it helps your body feel better.
Puppy, what a mess with the neuro's office! That sounds like the kinda runaround I get from the VA. Have you tried stopping by there in person? Ugh. I hope they tell you what's going on, that's not cool of them.
Miki, sorry insomnia is plaguing your nights. I hope you can sleep tonight. Is the island for your kitchen? Those are so cool.
Bear, glad to hear that you're moving forward in your care. At least assisted living can take care of your needs till you're better. My mom had to do it for a couple of years. Thanks for the update and hang in there. I'll be praying.
Angela, yay for payday. Enjoy stocking up!
Twins, I'm surprised you don't bring a heating pad to work with all that pain you must survive. I feel bad for you every day. Thoughts and prayers going your way and I hope you have a good weekend without much going on.
Autumn, is it fibro cystic breast changes? I hope that's all it is... painful condition, though.
Now i spent almost 4 hours running errands and shopping my lower back thru to my feet my pain is like a 15 outta 10 :( I can barely stand up so i skipped my lasix, i cant hardly walk. I am laying on the bed. Ground beef and chicken were SUPER cheap less than half their normal price (big meat sale here) and so i stocked up some more i barely got my freezer to close so i dont have to worry for awhile !! Stocked on meat for months. They have a butcher on site so you know its good fresh meat too. Cheese even was 2 for 3 dollars either the chunks or the shredded!!!!! 99 cents for crystal light thats half the price of the walmart brand even i normally get! and not at walmart lol So good deals and didnt have to spend much to get a lot of HEALTHY foods :) But i am in so much pain and so exhausted but happy it was a good day and mom and i got coffee before shopping my first time in a fancy sit down coffee shop and for 2 bakery muffins and 2 large lattes 15 dollars is not that bad at a place like that. Its a lot more than going somewhere cheap but even the drive up places just 2 coffees is like 12 dollars! Praying everyone has less stress and a peaceful low pain weekend!
Blue, I'm glad you're trying not to panic, I hope you're maintaining that okay. I wish your husband would help you more. Sorry about the crappy mess you had to clean up, it sounds disgusting. I hope you get some relief in your jaw.
I have to run by the pharmacy later. I forgot to mention I"m getting my refill for my Ajovy script for migraines. I only had 1 migraine this month thanks to that shot. It's a miracle drug for me. I was having 3-5 migraines a week, which meant 3-5 injections of that med sumatriptan that makes me feel like i"m dying. Praise God!
Fantod, I'm praying no news from you today is good and your mother is getting some help and you are finally resting. I'm thinking about you, you are one tough lady and your family is lucky to have you.