HaPpY NeW yEaR!

How many New Year’s resolutions do I have to make before I actually succeed at one? I have no idea, but your guess is as good as mine. I plan on staying home and going to bed early for once. I have no idea why I always stay up and watch the ball drop. Nothing changed, all I did was sit and watch the ball drop, maybe kiss a loved one Happy New Year. Honestly, I can do that anytime. I can even record it and watch it over and over again if I wanted to, but where would it get me? Maybe I’m a little jaded or just a little tired. This week….I’m a lot tired, but there are still resolutions to be made.

 

The nice thing about a new year is that you can do things differently in the coming year. Most of us make resolutions that are beyond our capabilities. We just set our sights too high instead of realistic goals. We make lists upon lists until we get the list we want. Making a list shouldn’t be hard; it shouldn’t always have to be bigger and better than the last.

I could make a list and tell you I would do things I have no intention of doing, but I won’t. I would rather not even make a list if truth be known. What will you resolve to do this coming year?

As for me, I will:

2: I will not let Fibromyalgia ruin my day

3: I will appreciate my family and friends more

4: I will be more patient with those that do not   understand the pain I experience

5: I will learn to pace myself better

6: I will try to practice what I preach

7: I may not resolve to be stress free, but I will try to lower my stress levels

8: I will not resolve to lose a certain amount of pounds; I will resolve to eat healthier

I could make a list like this.....

See, no unrealistic goals, nothing too difficult. At least I acknowledge that I can improve. We can always improve ourselves or our lives. I realized this and became more appreciative of what I do have when several years ago I was diagnosed with a pre-cancerous condition. That diagnosis made me come to the realization that I had to make some changes in my life. I don’t think I was scared enough to make life altering changes for more than a few years. Many things have happened in life since that day. I thought about those things today. Maybe if I thought about them more often, I would be more motivated. There are a lot of things I might do differently in the coming future; there is one thing I know I will do starting tomorrow. I won’t wait until the New Year to start. I will spend more time with my father. You see, he just turned 78 on Christmas Eve and although he lives with me, it becomes more evident each year that he may not be around much longer. I need to spend more quality time with him. As long as he’s around, he will be on the top of my list each year.

Happy New Year dad, I love you!

Scrooged Again!

Since having my computer back, I have spent the last few hours online looking at Fibromyalgia articles on treatment of pain. Most sites offer a plethora of advice as many are want to do. Sure, we all want a cure all, who wouldn’t with this kind of pain?! What annoys me is that most of the sites think they are the only cure. Some sites do acknowledge that Fibromyalgia pain affects people differently. I am afraid some people lose site of that fact. The key words being: fibromyalgia pain affects people differently. I may be on a pedestal here and I don’t mean to be ranting, but come on, just because we may suffer from Fibro fog doesn’t mean we believe everything we read. We know there are snake oil salesmen out there.

Not all medications work for the same for everyone. Not everyone has the same reaction. My personal opinion is that if you find something that works for you, then by all means stick with it, but leave your mind open to new ideas and options. As long as Lyrica works for me, I know I will espouse the virtues of it. I also realize that as time goes along, I may have to increase the dosage or frequency of usage. I also realize that I will have periods of Break Through Pain, where nothing will help. To expect to be completely pain free would not be realistic on my part. What is realistic on my part is to do what I can to keep warm, lower my stress levels, get some exercise, eat better and not over do my daily activities. Here again, this works for me, you may have a regimen that helps you.

Of course, if you work for a modern day Scrooge that keeps the office thermostat set at 55 degrees, you will never get warm. You can however; dress like poor Bob Cratchit, donned in several layers of clothing, a scarf, hat and fingerless gloves, enabling you to work with your hands. As I faced the cold weather and bone chilling winds while getting a start on my workday, I was glad I had dressed in 3 shirts, a sweater, scarf and coat for work. The wind chill alone was placing outside temperatures in single digits. After stepping into the office and removing my coat and scarf I immediately put them back on. Ebenezer Scrooge had not allowed any coal for today I saw. Quietly traipsing over to the wall thermostat in the back workroom, I nudged the thermostat from 55 to 60 degrees. Alas….I was still not getting any warmer an hour and a half later. What evil was working its magic to hinder this flow of warmer air? I looked upwards and my eyes caught sight of a most hideous thing: the vents in my office had been closed by Scrooge! Bah-humbug! Foiled again.

 

Being only 5 foot 3 inches, there is no way I can reach the 8 foot high vents. Good thing I had long strip of aluminum with which to reach the levers. Being a Cratchit, I am resourceful! I soon had the vents open and aimed in my direction. My ears would have to remain uncovered as I would need to keep an ear out for Scrooge leaving her office. If I moved quickly enough, my disobedience would not be discovered. Somehow the layered clothing, fingerless gloves, and one small piece of coal were not enough to keep me warm today. Hot coffee might do the trick. Maybe I could wrap my hands around the mug. Oh wait….Ebenezer took my mug and sold it for a mere pittance, that won’t work. Maybe if I worked hard enough, I could get warm.

As my fingers pecked away at the frozen keyboard, I realized I couldn’t feel them. Maybe that was a good thing. If I ended up working my fingers to the bone, I wouldn’t feel it. LoL So engrossed I was in typing, I missed Ebenezer leaving her office and did not get the vents turned back off. Maybe Scrooge would be generous today; after all….Christmas had only been 3 days ago. The cold started me day dreaming I would be the recipient of a pair of USB hand warmers to use at work. With Tiny Tim optimism I keep looking for a warmer future. Winter did just start 7 days ago, but at least it was pretty and snowy outside.

Tiny Tim taught me to dress warmly and to accept the things I cannot change. I can change my clothing to keep me warmer on these cold winter days. I will experience pain, but I will trudge on as best I can with the help of my family and friends. By accepting these things, I will lower my stress levels in dealing with Fibromyalgia. There will be days I need to add extra coal to the fires to keep me warmer. But I will always look for new and better ways to get through the days without making my brain dull and fuzzy. I will continue my library and internet searches for help in dealing with Fibromyalgia and in the meantime, I’ll use my Tiny Tim optimism to keep working on Ebenezer Scrooge and getting some more coal for the fire.

Returning Soon!

I have been without my computer and have been able to post. I just received the part for my computer and will be posting soon!

I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season. Stay warm and stay safe.

Winter is here!

Oh the weather outside is frightful no really, but I feel like it is. Oh yeah, winter is on the way, I feel it. In fact I was feeling the pain start in my shoulder and arm and decided to check the local news for the current weather prediction. Know what, I was right on time, they predicted a low pressure system moving in at the same time I began feeling the sharp pains. It is so nice to know I can predict the weather and I don’t even have the proper college education credits. Oh who needs it when you have Fibromyalgia anyway? In fact…who needs Fibromyalgia? Not me!

Which got me to wondering; what the future will bring? Rain and then about 1”-3” of snow tonight and another 3” – 5” additional tomorrow. Oh yay, my connective tissues are rejoicing as I ponder this. Good thing I loaded up the firewood for the fireplace earlier today and got the snow fence up! Of course, that may be part of why I am feeling the stabbing pains right now. Keep my mind occupied and maybe I will hurt less. At least that’s what I am thinking at this point. It is supposed to be 10 degrees below tonight. At least the pain won’t be as bad since the snow has started. I received a text that I should take tomorrow off. Something I would normally rejoice at, but I do need the income at least to pay for the medications. (LoL)

 

Today was officially the first day of winter in my book; it snowed today after a layer of freezing rain. So glad I don’t have to shovel the mess, that’s what they make husbands snow throwers for. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind doing the driveway if I didn’t have Fibromyalgia. Being out in the country and having a neighbor with evergreen trees reminds me of my childhood. Walking in the snow, being outside at night with the snow blanketing the ground and the trees, muffling the sounds; I always found peace and quiet on a winter day with the snow falling. I remember building snow forts and making snow angels in freshly fallen snow. Being outside until my fingers and toes were frozen and then running inside to divest myself of coat, gloves and hat to await a cup of freshly made hot cocoa. Mmmmmmm….warms my insides just thinking about it. I do remember freezing at night though. Not being able to stay warm. That may be why I now have a warm quilt and down comforter covering my bed in the winter. I sit here now typing this under a down blanket. The only thing I seem to be missing is a nice warm cup of cocoa. I think I’ll go make myself some and then settle in for the night. Just as soon as I find the mini marshmallows to top it off.

Stay warm and think warm happy thoughts. They help ease the pains associated with Fibromyalgia. Who knows….maybe they will find hot cocoa is good for it!

Just a vegetable

As the weather turns colder and colder with a chance of snow and I realize the warehouse I am walking through is warmer than my office area, my thoughts turn to warm things like; what am I gonna make for dinner tonight? I have left over Marinara and spaghetti in the fridge, but for some reason it doesn't sound enticing this evening. I want something hot and liquid in substance. Soup. Homemade soup sounds good with a grilled cheese sandwich. Comfort food on a cold winter’s day. That's what I want! Why is it homemade soup just reminds me of childhood and playing out in the snow, making snow forts and hiding from a barrage of hard packed snowballs? But I digress….

Okay, now what kind of soup should I make? I thought about it. I decided I had the makings for Vegetable Soup. Maybe vegetable soup with a twist…..ham, vegetable soup with ham. Ha! And you thought I was going to say vegetable beef soup.

My mother used to make vegetable soup with ham. With this recipe, you can substitute beef for ham or ham for beef. Ham is lower in fat and it adds a different flavor and besides, it makes up for the artery clogging, heart stopping Bakalava recipe I posted.

So I thought I would share with you my quick recipe for vegetable soup. Enjoy it with or without meat. It has a flavor that will stand on its own. Bon Appétit.

Vegetable Soup

You will need the following:
32 ounces of V-8 juice

14 ounces canned diced tomatoes
12 ounces cubed ham or stew meat
1 cup diced onion
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (lima beans, green beans, peas, carrots, and corn)
1 rib of celery diced
1 Tbl. minced garlic
2 small or 1 large blanched potato diced
2 medium or 3 small carrots diced

6 Tsp. beef bouillon soup base

1 Tsp. celery seed

1 bay leaf

a smidgeon of basil

a smidgeon of oregano

4 beef bouillon cubes

Salt and pepper to taste

3 cups water

Brown the stew meat or ham (or no meat at all) together with: onions, garlic, celery, and carrots in a large pot. The meat will start to brown and the onions and celery will become transparent and the carrots tender. When they have reached this stage, add 1 cup of water to deglaze the pot.

While the vegetables and meat are browning, in another pan, blanch potatoes. I usually cook them as I would for potato salad: in an inch of salted water with the skins on. When they are tender when pierced, remove from heat. Remove skins under cold running water. Dice potatoes.

Add V-8 juice, canned diced tomatoes (do not drain), frozen vegetables, potato, and spices. Next add 6 Tsp. of beef bouillon soup base and 4 beef bouillon cubes and 2 to 3 cups additional water to taste. Do not add salt and pepper until you simmered the soup for at least 10 minutes. Add salt, pepper and 1 bay leaf. Simmer on low for ½ hour. Remove bay leaf before serving soup.

Cold Hands Anyone?

Cold hands, warm heart….or so they say. I would rather have warm hands and a warm heart, especially on a cold night. So I decide to take things into my own hands. Literally.

While helping my father fold his laundry the other day, I watched him as he carefully examined his socks. Wondering what held his fascination, I asked him if his socks were okay or if he needed new ones. He replied that he had 10 new pair already in his dresser and he was wondering whether he trade his old socks out for the new ones. Mind you, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with his ones. I think he just likes new socks.

When I asked him what he planned on doing with his old ones, he asked if I wanted them. I couldn’t reply quickly enough, SURE! He thought I wanted to wear them around the house. No, they were too big for that, I wanted them for my arms and hands. No, not sock puppets. No, not sock monkeys either. My grand plan? To use them during the cold days and nights on my Fibromyalgiac hands.

Weird? Maybe, but I find it works. I cut off the toes and cut a slit in the heel, just big enough for my thumb to pop through. It’s easy to get carried away and cut too much; I did that the first time I made my fibro gloves. It is always best to cut too little and take more away later than to cut too much. I don’t bother stitching them up or finishing the edges. Maybe I should, but I don’t bother. They cover me from elbow to knuckles leaving my finger tips free. I have used them at work while typing away in a cold office, in bed while reading and sometimes even sleeping in them. For some reason, the last few years, my Fibro seems to have settled in my arms, shoulders and hands. Of course part of that may be due to the fact that I broke my right hand when I was 18 and broke some fingers in my left hand a few years later.

Okay….I am a klutz, I admit it for the entire world to see. Those of you who know me, know I am accident prone. Who else do you know gets a ten penny nail in their knee that has to be surgically removed, stabs themselves in the knuckle with a dental tool, falls down a flight a stairs not once, but 3 times in her life, sprains her neck, ankle, knees and wrist over stupid things? Well…you just met her. I have been a klutz since childhood. I have also experienced aches, pains, and light sensitivity since childhood. I never said anything, never told a soul what I was experiencing. I just thought it was a fact of life. I thought everyone felt that way, they just never complained. Maybe I had the early symptoms of FMS since childhood; maybe the FMS makes me a klutz.

Whatever the reason, I know I must find solutions to certain problems that present themselves, one of them being hurting hands. They may not be elegant fingerless gloves, but they work without being cumbersome. I like cotton and I find cotton socks to be comfortable on my hands….and my feet. Just make sure you wash them before you put them on your hands.