>
If so, you can relate to this, another gem from the BBC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR3YvrNpssM
>Do YOU Watch TV?????
Reply
>Finland
>
My friend Moonlit World (yellow flowers, top right) is a Finn. Here is an interesting article about Finland and ‘socialism’ and how the right-wing tea-party-ers have gotten it sooooooo wrong.
http://techcrunch.com/2011/01/17/guest-post-finland-freezing-cold-but-so-hot-right-now/
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>Little Update
>
I haven’t been exercising, because I do not want to make the leg pain worse. On the other hand, even though I did not get nearly enough sleep last night and am tired, I am not foggy. Except for the leg pain, I have been feeling pretty darn good. Also, my skin is dry, because the dewpoint has been in the minuses, but I am not itchy. I’m thinkin’ it’s the thyroid pills. I’m supposed to see the doctor in a couple of weeks, and I’m going to ask for a regular prescription, not just this trial I’m on. It is helping. Not saying it will help anyone else, not everyone has the same issues going on, or that it will even help me long-term. I’m used to meds just stopping working after awhile.
It’s a cold, sleety, freezing rainy day in the neighborhood, folks. And I AM going to make the lemon curd today. I hope. LOL
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>Cold
>
Yes, it’s very cold today. Beautiful and sunny and COLD. I still have snow piled against my windows from the storm we had a few days ago. It’s pretty neat here. After a storm, the highway department spends a night removing snow from the downtown area, where I live. They plow the sidewalks so people can get around, too. It’s a very user-friendly place to live.
I am still having a lot of leg pain. It wakes me up at night. I don’t think arthritis in my knee explains pain from my hip into my foot, or how I can have an almost pain-free day last week. If it was arthritis, wouldn’t it hurt every day, and why hurt when I’m sleeping and not using my legs? It’s a mystery to me.
My friend Tess bought some Meyer lemons and gave me some. I have never seen Meyer lemons here in New England before this. They smell nice, and look like a regular lemon, except more orange. It seems they are a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. I am going to make lemon curd with them. I haven’t made that in a while, and have only had regular lemons to make it with til now. Lemon curd on toast is like eating sunshine in the middle of winter. You can use it as pie filling, or between cake layers, too, although I haven’t ever. I like lemon pie. Maybe I could make a Shaker lemon pie with some of them. I’ve made it with regular lemons before. On America’s Test Kitchen the other day they made one and shredded the lemon slices instead of using them whole. I’d like to try that. Like I’m actually going to cook something. Well, I am going to make the curd. That’s cooking, right?
Anyone want the recipe for lemon curd? Here it is:
Lemon Curd
½ cup Meyer lemon juice (or regular, may need more sugar)
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup butter (1 stick), cut into pieces.
In a medium sized metal bowl, whisk together Meyer lemon zest, juice, sugar and eggs. Add butter and set bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. The bowl should not touch the water. Stir until thickened (160°F). This should take about 6 – 8 minutes.
Makes just under 2 cups.
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>It Snowed
>
It was beautiful. All over now. Bright sunny day. I am feeling good again except for the leg pain, which is quite strong today. Doctor was so not helpful. Big disappointment. After calling three times, I got two emails, one with two sentences about the thyroid test and nothing about everything else they tested me for. The second was one sentence saying I have arthritis in my knee. I KNOW that. I want to know about the pain that goes up and down the entire outside of that leg, starting at the hip and down into the foot. Nothing. What to do about it? Nothing. Time for a change of doctors.
I got an email from these people asking to post this article. They seem legit and even though it’s not about fibro, it’s about gluten-free eating, which is probably relevant to a lot of you. So here it is:
http://www.nursingschools.net/blog/2011/01/100-delectable-recipes-for-your-gluten-free-kid/
For those of you who are into this sort of thing, which I’m not but I know her, there is a healer who has done long-distance work on me, and it has helped at relaxing my muscles and making me feel better. I can’t say it will work for everyone, or that it’s any kind of cure or fix, it just made me feel better at the time. Here’s the link:
http://asyouwishhealing.weebly.com/
Please remember, I am NOT recommending either of these, just putting them out there for anyone who may be interested.
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>Oh, Well
>
My life according to Maxine. Woke up in pain with no energy. One day in a row of good days. One is better than none, but it’s disappointing. I’m always hopeful when I have a good day, but only rarely does a second one turn up the very next day.
Still waiting for a call-back from the doctor with my test results. I’ve called three times. They ordered the tests. Not me. So tell me the results, please.
It’s a very cold, bright, sunny day. So that means a big snowstorm is coming tonight. I love snow. I can see it falling at night in the light across the street and it is always so pretty. I like snowy winter much better than sticky summer. Even if it is harder to get around.
Well, back to reading blogs. Me and my couch. We’re quite an item. LOL
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>Two Things
>
I cannot remember to tag things. Duh! Here’s a couple of links I came across while eating breakfast:
Some good information here:
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=15838
This one. It’s great to spew hate and incite people to violence, but when they follow through…well, that’s another story. I cannot understand Republicans, or why they are so full of hate and venom. Here’s the link:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/10/934892/-Palin-aide-claims-crosshairs-werent-gunsights
Sure they weren’t. I believe it. Thousands wouldn’t. These people creep me out. Some of them have even said something similar should happen to our President. Shouldn’t they be arrested for that? I mean I understand free speech and all, but aren’t there issues of treason and such? America, I am so disillusioned with you. Here’s something I’ve said before:
‘ “there’s a huge contrast in the media. Listen to Rachel Maddow or Keith Olbermann, and you’ll hear a lot of caustic remarks and mockery aimed at Republicans, [not] jokes about shooting government officials or beheading a journalist . . . Listen to Glenn Beck or Bill O’Reilly, and you will.” Krugman
(nytimes.com)’
EDIT: Okay, so it’s three things or mucho posts as I sit here. Not using my newfound energy. Anyway, I use and love Dropbox. Came across this, which is without a doubt the best answer EVER:
“Why is Dropbox more popular than other tools with similar functionality? E.g. Windows Live Sync, etc, which are free.
Well, let’s take a step back and think about the sync problem and what the ideal solution for it would do:
* There would be a folder.
* You’d put your stuff in it.
* It would sync.
They built that.”
You could just stop there for the perfect answer, but it goes on:
“Why didn’t anyone else build that? I have no idea.
“But,” you may ask, “so much more you could do! What about task management, calendaring, customized dashboards, virtual white boarding. More than just folders and files!”
No, shut up. People don’t use that crap. They just want a folder. A folder that syncs.
“But,” you may say, “this is valuable data…certainly users will feel more comfortable tying their data to Windows Live, Apple Mobile Me, or a name they already know.
No, shut up. Not a single person on Earth wakes up in the morning worried about deriving more value from their Windows Live login. People already trust folders. And Dropbox looks just like a folder. One that syncs.
“But,” you may say, “folders are so 1995. why not leverage the full power of the web? With HTML 5 you can drag and drop files, you can build intergalactic dashboards of stats showing how much storage you are using, you can publish your files as RSS feeds and tweets, and you can add your company logo!
No, shut up. Most of the world doesn’t sit in front of their browser all day. If they do, it is IE 6 at work that they are not allowed to upgrade. Browsers suck for these kinds of things. Their stuff is already in folders. They just want a folder. That syncs.
That is what it does.”
It’s from here: http://www.quora.com/Dropbox/Why-is-Dropbox-more-popular-than-other-tools-with-similar-functionality
Okay, this post is officially done. Srsly. I’m getting up now to vacuum the kitchen. Honest. Really. Srsly, I am.
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>Surprised
>I woke up this morning feeling almost normal. I have a bit of energy. I can’t remember the last time I had a bit of energy, or when I felt this good.
Taking it slow, because I don’t want to ruin it, but the delightful bonus of having days, weeks, or months of feeling really, really awful is that when you finally feel relatively good you have all the clutter and mess to clear up. All your lovely energy goes just to catch up, and sometimes you lose the energy before getting even part way done.
I have a homemaker, but she’s only here two hours a week, and in that time she has to do laundry, shopping, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, errands. There’s no time for extras, even though she’s willing if there was.
I think that’s the hardest thing about living alone. No one to take up the slack when you can’t. No one to bring you a nice cup of tea when you can barely move. It’s all you. There is a good side to living alone, which is you do not have to live up to anyone else’s expectations. You are not responsible for anyone else’s well-being. But no one is responsible for yours, either. It’s a trade-off, like most things in life.
But I am HAPPY to feel good. Happy to have some energy. It’s been a long time, people. A long time.
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>New Med
>
I’m happy to say that I seem to be feeling much, much better. I’ve already noticed that my skin is not as dry and itchy as it has been for quite some time. I seem to have a bit more energy today, and less pain except for the leg pain I had the x-ray for. Hope to get results tomorrow on that.
I’ve only been on the med for a short time, but I am hopeful. I’ll keep you posted, dear readers.
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>It’s Still Morning
>
Still in my jammies, in a total fog, just wanting to go back to sleep. But my homemaker will be here in about an hour, I have to go back to the doctor’s to have more blood taken, and then to the hospital for the x-ray. Noooooooooo. Can’t I please just go back to bed? Apparently not.
This has been the month from hell. Well, not hell maybe, but it hasn’t been pleasant. Tired. So tired, all the time. Pain and more pain. I want to be functional again. I want my body to work. I want to stop whining. I feel like I’ve done nothing but whine the whole time. I hate whining. Where is my positive attitude? Vacationing in Florida maybe? I don’t know. It’s just not here when I need it.
Get up, get dressed, get moving. Just DO it, darn it!! Right. That’s working out for me. NOT!
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>The Doctor
>
Mine, that is. Saw him today. Getting a new med. I really hope it helps. I am so tired of feeling terrible. My thyroid numbers have been borderline for a long time, but when I wanted to pursue it, I was dismissed every time. This time, this doctor agreed that a trial of meds for it might be worth it. If it doesn’t help, at least I will have eliminated one possibility.
I’m also getting my knee x-rayed. He thinks it’s just arthritis, nothing major, but it has been making my whole leg hurt and walking is really problematic. I said maybe I need a cane, but he said no. Fine with me.
I like my doctor a lot. He takes time to listen to me, and to explain things and the reasons for different choices, different meds. It’s a good thing.
After, I had a lovely dinner and playing on laptop sessions at my friend Tess’s. She and her husband are getting over a cold, but I rarely get colds, so I’m not worrying. Besides, it was a really good dinner.
Oh, I canceled my cable and returned the box and remote today. I hate tv. I used to be addicted. Hmmm. That’s all.
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>Happy New Year
>
To all of my readers, and all of their readers, and just everyone. I hope this is the year. The year all your dreams come true, they find a cure for your illnesses, and mine. The government finally gets a brain and starts working for the people instead of for their own interests and those of their rich cronies. I hope the economy rebounds, and this time we really learn from our mistakes. I hope the tea-party-ers regain their sanity. I hope equal rights for everyone really means it. I hope no one gets bullied. I’d also like to have fresh pie every day, and really good coffee, and my own personal chef. Happy New Year, everyone.
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>Findrxonline
>Checked it out after reading comment on last post. Here’s what I found:
http://www.check-affiliate-program.com/latest-affiliate-news/Findrxonline.com.html
This explains affiliate programs:
http://money.howstuffworks.com/affiliate-program1.htm
These are the kinds of sites I avoid. You have to be really careful on the internet.
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>It Was A Cold and Windy Day
>
Now it’s heading into a cold and windy night, as well. Last night a blizzard, tonight just cold but still the wind is over 20 miles an hour with higher gusts. Lovely. Of course, I don’t have to be out in it.
I am still having some pain, but in general feeling better. I think I was having a bit of Christmas depression. This year I wasn’t invited to my friends house for either holiday. Thanksgiving they were in turmoil with the new house, so that’s fine. No one is obligated to invite me to anything, anytime, but when you always do and then don’t with no call or word til Christmas Eve just to say hi and let’s get together soon, I think it kind of hurt my feelings a bit. Even though, and this is why I’m just so lame to be even a bit upset, I would have had to say no since I have been having so much pain and feeling like crap all over. I spent Christmas alone with the cat, on the couch, reading fan fiction, with a frozen dinner, Indian vegetarian. Tasty. I guess it just all got me down, the whole build up and then the day. It was really no Christmas at all for me. And I didn’t get one single Christmas cookie. What’s that about?
Usually I take things in my stride, I don’t know why this year was hard. I’ve missed out on the celebrations before due to the stupid illness, and it didn’t bother me that much. Feeling alone and lonely, maybe. I miss my husband. Sometimes life just gets hard to cope with. It’s the pain. I think that’s the problem. I’ve been in almost constant pain for a few weeks now, and it wears down your spirits as well as your energy.
So…get over myself and all will be well. I see my doctor next week and plan to have a discussion about my meds and what else can I do that doesn’t involve more pills. I’ve turned Workrave back on, so I will be reminded to get up and DO SOMETHING once an hour. That really does help motivate me. I can do something for fifteen minutes. Well, some part of fifteen minutes anyway, before the pain gets too much or I just run out of energy. Today I am cleaning the stove. One bit at a time.
And another thing. My computer has decided I now live in London. ?????? I wish, but hasn’t happened. I’m still here in good old New England.
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>An Interesting Read
>Can’t vouch for its accuracy, but I’ve seen some of what it talks about for myself, and experienced some of it as well. I’ve said before, this is not the American I was raised to believe it was. I do believe Obama is trying to do right by us, but the Religious Right has co-opted our government for themselves and their own highly specific interests. The older white people mentioned here…I’m an older white person, and I think the tea-party-ers have lost their minds. Read this and see if anything speaks to you.
http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/149324
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>Ah, Modern Technology
>Check THIS Out
>THIS is why I voted for him. He doesn’t spout hate, he says what I was raised to believe about my country.
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>Three Things
>
Woo Hoo. He signed. The START Treaty was ratified. Food Safety. There’s more. Our elected reps did the right thing. My Republican Senator crossed party lines and did the right thing, much to my surprise. I seriously underestimated him. It seems that personal conscience trumped party lines. That is such a great thing, especially since the Republican party line is so negative and so detrimental to the 99% of the country who are NOT their wealthy cronies. Sometimes I feel like they are trying to wipe the rest of us out of existence, so the fact the so many of them did the right thing for the country really makes me proud. I still won’t vote for them, but…..
ITEM 2: Here’s a link to another blog roll from the same folks who presented the top 50 Fibro blogs:
http://www.mastersinhealthcare.com/blog/2010/20-incredibly-educational-alternative-medicine-blogs/
Okay, little update here. Apparently a filibuster is NOT what we saw in Mr. Deeds Goes To Washington. Senators don’t actually have to stay there and talk to maintain a filibuster. This is just wrong. If it’s important enough to block, it should be important enough to stand there and tell us why for as long as you are blocking it. So here’s a petition to change that:
http://campaigns.dailykos.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=17
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>An Interesting Article
>This is about the overlapping illnesses that make up fibro/cfs, etc. No wonder it’s so hard to get a definitive diagnosis.
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whyfmscfsarelinked/a/overlapping.htm
It’s cold and snowing today. I am still having allergy issues. It’s cold and snowing. WHY am I still having allergy issues? Ah, well.
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>Two Things
>DADT has been repealed. Finally. Even our own Republican Senator voted for repeal. Yay, Scott Brown. Doing the right thing. Every step towards equal rights for all seems to take ages. Women getting the vote, Civil Rights, and now this. In spite of all the hate and rancor, most of our elected officials did the right thing. Can you imagine having to live your life pretending to be someone else. Denying and/or hiding your true self? I am so pleased this has finally been dealt with.
Second thing is just funny. NSFW???
strangely peculiar 