I was trying to put a description to the way I feel about spare time these days. Crackers crumble and leave little bits here and there – which is kind of what my days off feel like; little bits, not enough to really satisfy unless you stuff them down all at once – and of course then they’re done. Tomorrow I’m taking a vacation day, most of which will be spent running around for blood tests and so on. Nothing wrong in particular, just a follow up check on my cholesterol, and taking my daughter in for a prenatal visit later in the day.
Turns out that the magnesium I’m taking for the fibromyalgia also helps with cholesterol levels. No wonder my MD seemed downright happy to hear I was taking the stuff! The knee flare-up is already subsiding, too. Not gone – that’d be a miracle – but not the typically protracted mess after I do anything to strain it. I truly believe a lot of the physical aches were directly related to the fibro, and thank GOD for somebody pointing me to the natural solution. Seriously, this stuff has made so much difference and it’s inexpensive, and works better than anything the doctor prescribed. Side effects are minor and in my case actually welcome. (Look it up – I won’t overshare by giving the specifics but y’all will figure it out pretty easily.)
We’ve gotten several submissions for the site now and I’m trying to chug along on my own work. We need a minimum of 25 manuscripts to take it live, and I’d prefer the numbers to be higher. For my aspiring writer friends: that means I’m still begging, heh.
I forgot to mention another casualty of the electronics graveyard the other day. Our DVD player died. Unlike the computers, G wasn’t able to revive it, so we’ll definitely be replacing it once the munchkins move out. (Which, should be within days now. G’s literally counting down.) I think I may order something from Overstock.com, for a couple of reasons. One, their prices are fairly reasonable and shipping is cheap as heck; and two, I belong to MyPoints. About once a year I collect a $25 gift card of my choice for a year of clicking and of filling out surveys. Since this year I actually did some shopping online – notably my monitor and some nightgowns – my gift card this spring will be $25. If I order our DVD player online it will put us in spitting range of the gift card.
G and I agreed that while so far this computer is playing nice, it’s time to give serious thought to an upgrade for him. That will let us shed the oldest critter, the antiquated IBM; and have his current computer as a backup. (It’s not as old as the IBM but older than mine.) We’re doing the same thing for the computer that we did for the monitor: putting back $10 here, $20 there, as we can. Obviously that means it won”t be happening tomorrow but we will get there.
G’s sniffles are hanging around but finally waning a bit; we also opted for the natural route there. We tried the pharmaceutical approach, which was utterly useless. This weekend though we hit a farmer’s market and bought some local bee pollen. It’s worked for him before. Too soon to tell if it’ll be the solution this time around. Wish we knew what it was he’s allergic to – maybe the olive trees that are scattered all over the grounds here? At the moment he’s really hoarse and camped out in front of the TV, and halfway enjoying the semi-voiceless moments. (I know what it’s like; even though I know when my voice goes I SHOULDN’T try to talk, I invariably do it anyway.)
Long as I stay free of the stuff and he starts feeling better soon, I’m good.
The kids have until the first to get their own place. I love my daughter but I want my house back. I like the boyfriend’s little girl, too, but having a happy, squealing little three-year-old in the house is still a bit much when it’s about three times a week and always late at night due to his ex’s work schedule. It’ll be cheaper on utilities when it’s just the two of us, and VASTLY less for groceries. G and I eat much healthier meals when it’s just the two of us. Once the kids move out we’ll be less about the meats and sweets and more about fruits and veggies, thank God. You don’t have to be full-fledged vegan to prefer a predominantly-vegetable diet. Not to mention I almost never fry anything – and the kids fry EVERYTHING. We go through cooking oil like it’s water. I intend to go back to olive oil for cooking when it’s G and me, and real butter – stuff with actual nutritional value. While I appreciate that the company subsidizes, our meals at work are also generally heavy on the meat and potatoes and skimpy with the veggies.
I don’t recall whether or not I said anything about it here – both my oldest and his wife work/will be working with me. (He started right after Christmas, she starts in a few days.) It’s good for them and it’s good for me – I get a bonus for the referral, enough to make a significant dent in the funds for a replacement vehicle. Not enough to GET another vehicle, but enough to definitely make a difference. Unfortunately son and his wife also decided to go their separate ways shortly before the holidays. I love them both and love my grandson. I hope for the best, whatever that may ultimately be.