Just Wow

 Despite a very bad body day, I got a tremendous amount of things done today.  I started off the day at 3 am in crying pain with tears running down my cheeks.  Not the way I prefer to wake up any day.  I took aspirin at 3:30 am with a very eclectic breakfast. Followed by my first nap once the aspirin kicked in.  Then it was up again at 6 am, I was really stiff and had to move , so I started 2 loads of laundry. Then took my second nap of the day.  

I managed to put a few things away.  I organized things in 5 minute chunks followed by resting.  It’s amazing how much I can get done in 5 minutes. Hang a load of laundry. Open an Amazon box and put things away.  Bring stuff from one end of the house to the other end. 

I did do quite a bit of craft hopping today. I plyed 2 skeins of yarn. Then put them up in skeins to get the bobbins back.  Spun 1 1/2 bobbins of yarn.  Added a few more inches to a knitted scarf. Also worked on a Tunisian Crochet baby blanket.  Hopefully it will be finished before the baby arrives.  

My biggest accomplishment of the day was cooking and cleaning up dinner with very little help.  I have not been able to do that since mid February when I got sick.  It was wonderful.  

Just so you know that some things don’t change.  I left a load of dry laundry in the dryer to be folded later.  The laundry might just freak out if I fold it too soon.  

I over did today.

 I learned today that no matter how good I feel, over doing any activity can lead to jaw pain and a very long unscheduled nap.  It also leads to more consequences like not being able to knit at night. My hands were just too tired tonight to do anything. So tomorrow I plan to slow down again.

I have very big aspirations for tomorrow. Doing one load of laundry and having John help me put back a Closet that I tore apart. Doing some paperwork. Just maybe making some stitch markers or knitting. 

For tonight all I want to do is sleep.  Wish me luck.  

Another Rest Day and more

 This latest round of flare up has gotten the best of me.  So even if I don’t intend to be cranky, sorry but the pain is winning right now.  

In other news I have posted an update to my Maxi Fingerless Gloves.  I had a hard time doing the editing on Google Docs.  So I transferred the information to Microsoft Word to do my editing and clean up.  Then I transferred the pattern back to Google Docs and added my new picture.  It took me a while to figure out how to make a pdf file for the pattern. I landed up Googling my question.  Apparently it is a very popular question because I was not even halfway through typing when the question finished itself. Once I got it up it was easy peasy.  

I also called the durable medical equipment company and got the run around again.  At least with the phone call it did not take multiple hours to get the answer that they were twiddling their thumbs.  Apparently only one person in the entire company can process the paperwork and he seems unwilling to do so. I am at the point of getting my money back from the credit card company and then reaming the on the review boards.  To say that the service has been lack luster and horrible is giving them too much credit.  

The lesson learned from this is not to work with the company to see if the equipment works but send any merchandise that arrives damaged back immediately and get my credit cards company to refund my money.  Especially if only the inside box is damaged. 

Life with Sjorgrins

 I am a little shocked that none of my older friends have had a 3rd dose of the COVID19 vaccine yet. Nor are they currently eligible.  I really feel like the odd woman out. My goal is to be as healthy and active as possible. To push the limits where ever possible.  I know it’s not always possible.  Just the fact that it was recommended makes me feel a bit fragile. I really don’t like to feel weak in anyway.  “I am woman, hear me roar”.

Yet here I sit at the kitchen table after midnight waiting for the aspirin to kick in. I know I should have taken it with dinner, but I wasn’t in any pain then.  My left shoulder is sore, the one I got the vaccine in.  All the while thinking as long as I am up I should be cleaning.  My other inclination is to go knit, but it’s past bedtime.  But what I really want the most is to be in bed sleeping.  I am starting to get sleepy so it is off to bed with me. I still hurt but the pain is getting duller.  

P.S. I did manage to get in 2 30 minute workouts today. 

Connections

 I am beginning to think that there is a connection between our summer rains and my arthritis flare ups.   The bad ones seem to happen at the end of July or beginning of August.  I wonder if having the humidity between 46% and rain for days on end is the reason.  

Meanwhile I have not knit or spun for days.  Yes, it is quite survivable, but depressing at the same time.  My right hand has been on almost total rest for what seems like forever.  I put away my Ashford Drum Carder today.  I only have a small box that did not get carded.  My hand is slowly getting better.   I am getting ready to set up the sewing machine to do a few lap quilts.  Nothing fancy, just basic useful quilts and a few more dog pillows.  Sewing uses different hand movements than knitting or spinning.  

It has been suggested that I add another art to my line up that is not hand intensive. So i am open to suggestions.  Right off the bat I am thinking that pottery is too hand intensive.  Anything that involves extreme heat or fire my dynamic tiro would say no to.  I have gotten a punch yarn kit to try.  Someone also suggested adult coloring books, that might be worth a try.  I might even get bored enough to go through my books to see which ones to keep and which ones to sell.  

The lighting and thunder seem to be winding down so it’s time to call it a day. 

Food

I have developed a love hate relationship with my food since last Thursday. I really hurts to eat even something as soft as grilled salmon. Yet I can’t get a balanced diet eating only soft food.  I find myself staying up way to late so I can take aspirin right before bed so I can get 4 or 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Have I mentioned that I am the most impatient person when it comes to pain. So forgive me while am am grumpy.

Would I Do That?

I might have over done it a little bit yesterday.  I know, really me ever over do anything.  My body disagreed with me. So I spent a good part of last night in pain and today resting. Only getting 50% of my to do list done. Hopefully with a good nights sleep tomorrow will be better.

Healing

I find it amazing that something as simple as putting away groceries is enough to send shooting pain through my hand.  So a portion of today's shopping is still sitting on the kitchen table waiting to be put away. Tomorrow will be soon enough. 

I am also really grateful for being ambidextrous especially at meal times. I normally eat and do a lot of things with my left hand.  When the pain gets to bad I just change hands to my right hand.  I just have to keep a mindful eye on my left hand and give it the time it needs to heal.  I am having trouble with this because I really hate going in slow speed.  I just need to find more patience right now.  

Exhaustion

Exhaustion and pain hit hard and fast today.  Thank goodness Eric was in a nap mood today. 2 naps latter and all I can say is my pain level is down. I am not sure why exhaustion and pain seem to go hand in hand for me.  I am hoping for a better day tomorrow.  My semi grand to do list was only half way done. As John says there is always tomorrow. 

A Pain in the Arm

I have been having trouble with a sore shoulder for the past week or so. I have had pain to the point of tears. I have tried ice, massage and anything I could think of or find on line. I have been doing a lot of crocheting for the past 2 weeks. I mean massive amounts by my standards. Well really about a gallon of yarn. I have been making useful objects for a fundraiser. I do crochet faster than I knit so, I thought I would get more done. Until tonight I did not realize the cost was the unbearable pain in my right arm that would not go away.

So you might be wondering how I came up with this answer? That was not found on the web. I had originally thought it was moving wrong one night,when Eric was having a rough night. Wrong. After crocheting various coasters and wash cloths today. I decided to pick up my knitting needles which have not been in use for 2 weeks. Yes about when the problem started. After just 2 hours of knitting the pain in my shoulder and upper arm was reduced by 50%, which is huge.

I just managed to do a solo change of Eric for the first time in a week and a half. So those of you who know me well. You have a new job. If I complain of upper arm pain ask me If I have been using a crochet hook? If the answer is yes just remind me how silly I am being.

Thanks for listening. Most of you have probably figured this out already and don't need the post. It’s just a reminder to me that I do have limitations. Did I mention how much I hate limitations? Well that is a blog post in itself.