I tossed and turned and gave up on sleep at 3 am. I am so exhausted. Abby and moms 5 dogs all go to the groomer at 830am. will have 6 bald little doggies later today! They need it bad lol Just feeling blah the last couple days and its really getting to me. Pain is bad too. Mainly in my lower legs below the knee.

Morning Leo, I heard the same about omicron and home tests, which is why I got the PCR test despite it being a colossal pain in the ass. What sucks around here is that access to PCR testing is so low (I can get there on a day off and wait in my car at the free drive through site, not everyone can. Plus you can’t get timely results regardless) so we’re kinda forced to rely on rapid tests. More on that later. Yay, the tiles are done! I’m so glad the end result was worth the headache. I hope Dahlias eye is looking better today, and that you and hubby survive his prepping tactics. We’ve technically got 2 winter storms, today and Monday. Today isn’t really snow but it’s deathly cold and windy-windchill of -25 degrees F. Not warming up much for Sunday. Monday morning through afternoon is snow to freezing rain. Commute is gonna be a bitch if the roads are bad, otherwise will be easy because so many people stay home, there’s very little traffic. It actually takes me less time to get to the MA office when the weather and roads are bad. I’m prepped with extra non-perishable stuff, a cooler I can fill with stuff and place outside so I at least don’t lose my whole freezer if we lose power, and I have a gas range. May or may not be enough depending on how long power is out since I’m on a well, so no power =no water. I don’t drink the water here (it’s high in PFOAs), and I can use paper plates and stuff, but I’d have to shower and refill water jugs at my parents house. Actually work let me do it there when my pipes froze too (a few gallons, they were fine with it). Pain in the ass, since I need extra water to flush the toilet, but doable. Heat would be the big factor…I have gas heat but idk if it’ll kick on without power. That’s the deciding factor in staying here. I’ve got books galore because my mom reads a lot and gives me the ones I’ll like, and I don’t have a lot of free time that I spend reading, plus lots of wood that I can sand and sketch. I have a calendar or 2 that were sent free from national parks and wildlife charities, so I have reference photos even. Plus the obvious, flashlights/batteries etc. Anyway, got on a tangent there. Hugs

Oddly enough I got results yesterday and it was negative…so either (less likely) I had too little of the virus left in my system for the very sensitive test to pick up, or (more likely) my immune system is going overboard with the flu or something and I get to worry about whether I’m going to get this insanely fatigued every time I get sick. Ugh. At least I didn’t expose the entire office, no thanks to our policy. This weekend I have to go grocery shopping, cooking/food prep, laundry, walking Miki (very short walks with her coat and boots) and some burning. I’m still feeling really depressed about everything and I know I’m staying home tonight because I need to just get stuff done, but I’m going to do something with bf tomorrow. I really miss him after a couple weeks of staying away to not get him sick, especially with my mood. I also had to push Miki’s dental out another week, they do surgery on Tuesday and Wednesday so I have to take the day off, so I couldn’t get coverage that day. I don’t like the idea of it being further out, but I get a day off at least? And she won’t get harassed or attacked the day after getting a bunch of teeth taken out. And now I think I’ve stalled long enough (it’s taken over an hour to write this because I can’t concentrate for shit), I need to brave the cold and get the dog out. At least she doesn’t like this weather either, despite being pretty floofy, so she won’t want to be out long either. Will try to check back later.

Hi everyone.

Glad that bathroom is finally done, Leo. I bet it’s pretty. I take it you are home now.

I’m not sure I understand what you are saying concerning the Covid tests. My son did a home test kit and it was positive. He was pretty sick. It looks as though their family has the omicron variant as no one in the family has lost taste or smell. Also, my poor little grandsons are very sick with Covid. Coughs, fevers, sore throats. They felt better after showers. They are not having trouble breathing, so they aren’t going to the ER at this point. I am so concerned. My daughter in law and 10 yr old granddaughter barely had any symptoms, thank goodness. My son and his wife are vaccinated. I’ll keep you posted on my grandsons.

No electricity yet, Leo? That is horrible. Hope that comes back soon.

Angela, your dogs will be so cute. Sorry no sleep. Maybe tonight?

Glad you didn’t have Covid, Miki. At least it appears not. Sounds like tough storms coming. It’s so stressful when the power goes out. Hope yours stays on. A day off will be good for you, but I’m sure you feel sorry for Miki.

I’m trying to tidy up a bit around the house. I can only do a couple of things for about 3 minutes. Then I have to rest at least 30 minutes for the pain to settle again. It’s a pretty slow go for me to even try things.

Today our daughter and the 2 grandkids are coming over. She and my husband are going to put up my new black curtain rod, and my drapes in the dining room. It’s a huge window and straight across from our thermostat. The drapes are a little insulated for our freezing winters here in Wisconsin. The drapes are a very light grey, with silver streaks running throughout. Our walls are a slightly darker grey.

They are going to take down my Christmas village as well. The tree is already all put away.

So that’s my Saturday. Oh, our car is coming on the 18th after all. Really looking forward to this. Poor hubby has to clean out the old car. I don’t think that will take long though.

Morning Leo - I am glad that you are home and that the tile work was worth all of the trouble! I always prep for storms more than I should, but you never know. My partner is more of a wing it when the sh*t hits the fan type of guy. Generators are really noisy. We park ours out on the driveway on the other side of the deck. It gets chained to the deck with a lock and we use at least one car as a baffle to cut the noise for the neighbor. They are a godsend though. If I ever have to live in an apartment/condo again, there are battery charged generators that I would consider getting.

I am doing a couple of extra loads of laundry today. I've prepped for dinner, brushed Smurf out and pretty much have everything straightened up around here. My partner is leaving work a bit early today to see the dentist. He will get to her office just before they close for the day. Hopefully, she can figure out what the problem is and fix it. His feet seem to be improving and the new work shoes seem to be helping.

AngelaJo - Today seems like a good day to just do nothing to me. I woke up tired and achy. Once the laundry is done, I'm done.

Miki - I hope that you don't lose power when the storm hits. It is pretty cold here today too but not like that. I used to live in Northern Ontario. We had a couple of episodes of 60 below with the windchill factor. That was pretty intense. You really have to know how to dress for that and pay attention when you are outside. Your heat will not come on without power. We have gas too and need the generator to have heat. I hope that you can see BF tomorrow. Stay safe and warm!

Hi Ida - Sounds like having company is a good idea. It will be nice to have the new curtains in place and Christmas stuff put away. I got the last tree put away on Monday finally. Glad to hear that you will get the new car on time! Enjoy your company.

Off to shower and do a couple of other things. Shoutout to Milily, PuppyMom, Zombie, PainedOne, Twin, Autumn and LilMissy.

Hi guys,
Brrrrrr it’s cold here where I live, I can feel it in my bones, & everything else too. You’ll know how it goes.
One moment at a time type day here

Big hugs <3

Fantod, I would love to try your weekly pizza. Hope your partner gets the tooth thing figured out.

Lilmissy, you are super brave. Stay warm.

I should never have done any paper picking up of any kind. My pain is now at a 10 and I am moaning loudly. It’s unbearable right now. Dang.

Oh man. The specialist told me to do nothing. My husband is so mad at me for not listening. I can’t take this pain guys. It’s so horrible.

Just a quick report. The grandsons are fine this morning!

Oh, Ida.... HUGS

There are false positives and false negatives with all tests like the rapid covid test. When a patient sees a doctor.. Some doctors diagnose patients with covid even when their rapid test says negative. Some doctors have had more experience and read more on the omicron variant..

Bottom line is it is better to be safe than sorry. There is no way of knowing for sure how covid will affect a individual. Fully vaccinated and boosted, less or no vaccine. Having had the omicron variant before or not. There is no way of knowing how a individual or those that individual comes in contact with will be affected. Anything less than quarantine, masks, social distancing, etc is a gamble.

Just ran across this. Thought it might be interesting to some here

Can You Use Throat Swabs for At-Home Covid Tests? Here’s What the FDA Has to Say-
https://www.prevention.com/health/a38684680/home-covid-test-throat-swab/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_pnb&utm_medium=email&date=010922&utm_campaign=nl26299477&utm_term=AAA%20--%20High%20Minus%20Dormant%20and%2090%20Day%20Non%20Openers

Hi guys. Pain is a bit better this evening. Hope all of you are doing well.
My little family with Covid are all doing better right along. I am so happy.
Hubby and daughter got my curtains put up. Just beautiful. I taught my granddaughter how to latch hook today. It really made me feel good to have some worth. She even was able to figure it out while watching her left handed grandma. lol

Further ironies: Hubby did not buy transfer switch, thinking it came with. (It doesn't.) Hubby is worried about CO from generator if we need it. While legit, may I point out something? If the generator is 20 feet from the house minimum, AND has to be kept from getting rained on, snowed on, etc.... Pray tell how one keeps it *from being inside a strucutre*???? We have the exhaust pointing out and away, and the exhaust is ten feet from the back door...

Further irony 3: "Do not have anything open in the path fo the exhaust, or near the gas generator."

Um... How does one run a cord in? Apparently like this: You have a lot of land, you spend 3 thousand on building the shelter for the 1 thousand generator.

Thi sis why survival is for rich people. FYI, if we did that? We'd ahve to also get building permits, etc.

I made an exhaust extension yesterday. Not perfect, but it'll do.

Honestly, what's the point? If you can't afford to also run the generator right to yoru breaker box (which we can't, b/c again, huge issues drilling into the house from outside, etc....)..... It's just pointless!

Oh Leo. I don’t know a thing about generators. I’ve just heard that they should be outside. But that’s about all I’ve heard. I hope you guys get it figured out.

I woke up in so much pain, I just don’t know to handle it sometimes. My husband tries to get me talking to try and ignore it. It helps slightly, but being unable to do anything and being in such pain is sure getting old.

Maybe watching the football playoffs will help for today. Leo, do the Steelers play today? Big Ben’s last game, possibly. Makes me sad. It’s been fun watching him.

My granddaughter is in a robotics tournament this afternoon. It is only a block from our house at the Lutheran high school, but I can’t go, sadly. I guess it is going to be live streamed. So I’ll get to see her.

Hope everyone is doing well this morning.

I’ve got to thinking. I’ve rambled on about my pain for a year. Most often stuff unrelated to my fibro. Yes, my fibro bothers me plenty. But I have so many other serious problems. Should I be here? Am I annoying in any way? I just don’t know.

Ida you are always welcome here! MOST of us have other pain, i complain about my back a lot! and my neuropathy!

I have a bad abcess in my mouth, its so painful i had problems sleeping........ i will call my dr in the morning tomorrow i wish today was monday for that reason but im glad its not too because i get matt home on sundays! ugh. My dentist will not do antibiotics with me because of my allergy list so i have to go thru my dr.

Pain is a bit better but still real bad in my legs below the knees I dont know if its my fibro or neuropathy.