Sparks and Butterflies...

But aside from that, she's still completely normal

The Last Couple of Days

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So… Why did I sort of disappear? A migraine, yes. It was a sort of confluence of events that led that way.

First, the headache itself had been coming on for days. I’m very sensitive to weather pressure which I think is something to do with my ears and sinuses. Since we’d had rain “coming” for days, I was feeling it, and I knew I wouldn’t get relief from that until it actually did, indeed rain. Which it did all day yesterday.

Then Friday. Oy. Around 3pm, I was working, and I went to reach from my soda. I was paying attention to what I was reading on my screen, and my hand swept my soda across my laptop (pink, named Betsy). A full 12 ounce glass, and I spilled it ALL. I’ve owned a computer, as well as used company computers, for 20 years. Aside from feeling old, I have never ever ever spilled on my computer. Frantic paper toweling. Frantic drying and opening and tipping to actually POUR out the soda. After all that, my poor Betsy wouldn’t even turn on.

I work from home. All my work is on my computer. I wasn’t worried about my files – I use Carbonite, and my stuff is constantly backed up. But the physical computer itself… I need it to work. So I was faced with two problems. 1) Could I pay for a computer. 2) How soon could I get it, as I had to work Monday for sure. I actually still had work to do Friday, but could be put off. Since I’m taking off Thursday and Friday, I HAD to work Monday – Wednesday. I had enough money in my save for taxes account. Hate to use it, but frankly the computer is more important for the moment. Phew. OK, so can I access it right away? Call ING, since I leave that money in that account, since it’s a no-touch account. Yes, I can, here’s how. OK. Phew. So now… How do I get a computer fast.

My normal M.O. is to take time to figure out what it is I want, best price for it, search for additional coupons, and order online. That’s all well and good, but I can’t get it to me by Monday if I do that. Which means a Brick and Mortar store. ::shudder::

I don’t like people, crowds, or salespeople. So I made Poe come with me. We went to the nearest store Friday night. I made a decision. They didn’t have any in stock, but they could ship it for free! That didn’t help me solve the whole issue of being able to work on Monday. Oh, but look at this one – $200 more – not in stock… After the 4th not in stock, the salesman trying to jury-rig something together, Poe looked at me and said, “Let’s go home. We’ll try somewhere else tomorrow.”

I was terribly disappointed. By this time it was dark, and lights can trigger my headaches as well. We stopped for dinner, and then went home. On a whim, Poe tried to turn Betsy on. And she did. Sigh…

But I can’t trust her. I have no idea the extent of damage that might have been done and I need reliability. So, I went ahead and shopped online for what I want, and am waiting for shipment. So, I just need Betsy to last until then. Her sister will be named Daisy.

Friday night I went to bed, a little upset, and with the nagging headache I’d had for a week. At 4am, I awoke to a full-fledged migraine. I downed medicine and staggered back to bed. When Poe got home from work, I let him know what was going on so he could handle things. I ended up sleeping until 5pm. Sleeping isn’t quite the right word. Twilight sleep, I guess, getting up every three hours or so for more medicine. The only thing that helps is trying to stay unconscious, a cave-like atmosphere, and physical counter-pressure. In this case, as usual, it was my right temple. So I slept on my  right side with the pillow wrapped around my head. I got up around 5pm with the headache gone, and in the hangover phase, where I’m not quite there, and dealing with a fog. But since I slept ALL.DAY.LONG… That night I couldn’t get to sleep again until 4am. Which made the next day, Sunday, a difficult day to get anything done.

So… I’m grateful. Why? I found to money to replace my machine. I can work today, Monday. The migraine, and after effects, happened when I didn’t have to work. I’m grateful.

Break

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I’m in migraine territory. However, I’m determined to finish Nablopomo. So. This is my post. If you’re a migraine sufferer… You understand the shortness. Hopefully, I’ll be in pain hangover tomorrow (which means the migraine is over). See you then.

A Couple of Points

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I’ve been purposely NOT writing about politics, or the state of our country, or the state of the world on purpose. I have enough anxiety in my life without poking at the trolls with a sharp stick. But two things, today, stand out to me and I would like to share.

These things are examples of a great many things that are taking place around the country, and around the world, and are the backing of my trying to “prep.” Just examples of things I’ve been noticing for a few years, slowly.

First:

The EU bans claim that water can prevent dehydration. The absolute ridiculousness of this article is an example of government regulation and “committee making” gone totally wrong. This paragraph brings it home:

…I had to read this four or five times before I believed it. It is a perfect example of what Brussels does best. Spend three years, with 20 separate pieces of correspondence before summoning 21 professors to Parma where they decide with great solemnity that drinking water cannot be sold as a way to combat dehydration.

And then I read this news story: ‘Going Galt’: Hedge Broker Shuts Down Firm With Chilling Letter About the Market. They quote her letter, but you can read it in its entirety at her website: Ann Barnhardt. I haven’t seen a better indictment of the economy in terms I, as a non-financial person, can understand. And really, it’s incredibly brave of her to state her case, and take action based on her professional observations.

Take note. This is a warning. I’m not saying sell everything and move into a yurt. I’m saying, stop burying your head in the sand, wake up, look around, and make educated decisions based on your family’s needs. Whether you believe in what the Occupy Movement is doing, or not… Whether you believe the economy is in trouble on a global scale, or not… Think about what these changes mean for you. Say you believe in the Occupy Movement and what it stands for. Even if you think it’s great – don’t you think there will be widespread transition time that will effect you in real-life ways? If you think they are doing it wrong – the same transition time applies. Please think about what’s going on around you and react accordingly.

Even if everything turns around and comes up roses and sunshine, unicorns and rainbows… at least you took a hard look and took action that may prepare you in an emergency. The very act of thinking through “what would we do” makes you more prepared than the average American (which is a sad and scary thought).

Our Thanksgiving Menu

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So… Somehow it’s late November, 2011, and Thanksgiving is next week. I’m not entirely sure how that happened. It feels like the days are flying by faster and faster and faster.

Here’s what we’re having:

Turkey – I don’t usually stuff it with stuffing, but I do put onions and such in it for flavor. Got the Turkey for free this year, through a vons.com deal.

Stuffing – Stovetop. ‘Cause I like it, and it’s easy, and I got it for $0.99 this year.

Cranberry sauce – I’m the only one who’ll eat it.

Dinner rolls – We always have those Kings Hawaiian rolls, it’s turned into a tradition.

Mashed Potatoes – I’m going to use my Kitchen Aid mixer, and a recipe I got from it. Joseph likes potatoes.

Gravy – I don’t make great gravy from scratch, it’s really hit and miss. So I bought jarred as a backup just in case.

Carmen’s Corn Pudding – Never tried it before, but this is for Logan, who doesn’t like potatoes.

Pumpkin Pie – I make the filling from scratch, but buy pie shells, ’cause I have serious rolling out issues. No really, you don’t want me to roll out dough for anything. It’s embarrassing.

So – it’s a good mix of convenience and scratch cooking. I’ve done the Thanksgiving meal for all about 5 years or so, and I’m learning what I like, what I don’t, what the other family members like and don’t, and where my strengths and weaknesses are. The one problem I always have, though, is oven space. My turkey takes up the whole space. So, even though my parents are going to be out of town, I’m going to use theirs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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