One hour into unpacking art supplies -- not heavy ones, mind you -- and I was reminded of why I was told I probably couldn't be working right now. Light movement, no lifting. Well, ok, I pushed around some bookcases and tables to make some sense of order, but I had to do that. I became exhausted and riddled with pain in the back and leg again. Maybe the floor has something to do with it, or the fact that I was up at 4:30 am. In any event, my two hour plan was cut short to ninety minutes and I was back on the couch with my frozen peas. Sigh. I tried to nap a bit on the heating pad, then switched to ice again. Didn't sleep, just kind of zoned out and watched television. Getting flashbacks of the time spent with the Flare From Hell in The Feet. I hate having to lay down and rest. Like a little kid being told to nap (something I used to fight as a child, too.) Not happy.
A fog kind of hung over me all day. I felt mentally dull. Disorganized. Unsure of what I wanted to do. I did laundry, slowly, and dishes. I slowly swept floors and contemplated washing them, then realized that was out of the question. I made a list of things I need to do for school, which only frustrated me as I can't do them NOW. I reviewed my class lists online, which made me happy -- my neighbors' kids are in my classes this year, as well as several other special kids I was hoping to be able to have in my groups. Looks like it will be a great year on that front! I gave the birdies their out time and fed everyone supper, and then cooked up some yummy veggies for my own dinner. Finally I settled into stitching, working on finishing up the seed stitching on a small piece that I started in July. Then beaded the first poppy from the three I am hoping to embellish. Then, gratefully, it was bedtime.
What struck me about the day is that as lackluster it was, it was wholly unusual in my life this summer. When I was really sick with the RA Flare That Wouldn't End, every day felt like this. For weeks. I was forced into a state of foggy mental dullness that felt like living in a smoke filled plastic bubble. People say this is the RA talking and walking, called "Brain Fog," and is associated with other autoimmune issues, too, such as fibromyalgia and MS. This summer has been great in terms of feeling pretty good and being productive. Yes, the back is an issue, but the mental fogginess associated with RA has not really been my companion. I've slept well, stayed relatively active, and gotten a lot of things done that needed to be done around the house. Even have lost some weight, which is greatly needed. I've had good focus and energy, and enough rest to get the most out of every day. I am so grateful for that. So, having one day trying to punch my way out of a paper bag isn't the end of the world. Besides, I saw a couple good episodes of Extant. And make another few inches of a snail's progress on my artwork. Hoping for a better day today. Cheers!
What will you make today?