Writing, Shipbuilding, and Fibromyalgia

Not much pain today until this afternoon - it was getting close to a 3 or "bad" so I took a Flexeril and 10 mg of loritab.

I'm trying to not let my pain level get so high that I can't do anything - trying to intervene before a 4.

Over the last few weeks I've been working on my school presentations, translating my book Helicopters into Spanish, and helping Randi, Carl and Aden move in.

Translating a book, even an elementary book, is a lot of hard work, mostly because my Spanish is based on conversations with the neighbors about tools, houses, divorces, and kids.

The kids and grandkid are settling in to their new apartment. We turned our CNC room into an apartment. Times like this show how broad Doug's skills are - he can manage large databases, write scripts, nearly automate himself out of a job, build cabinets, fabricate household items out of aluminum, and build a boat.

Even though it's been windy and cold I'm looking forward to working on the sub and boat again after our slow-down over the last week.

Surprisingly a lot - we're going to use the windows in the pilot house, the drive shaft, steel beams for spreaders when moving plates of steel, foam in the cushions and steel on the roof to be made into wall art.

Wonder what the neighbors are thinking now?

Sometimes I can't get to sleep at night. I guess that makes me an insomniac. I try the usual strategies - a sleep aid, soft music, deep breathing - and sometimes they just don't work. So after 20 minutes or so I get up and go to the couch. Often I read a sleep inducing book like Woe Is I: Grammar Hints and Tips. That can help but last night it didn't. So I read my kid books and ham radio books and watched the sun come up.

Having a few hours to read books is usually great but when it's at the expense of good, solid sleep I know the next day is a "lost" day. I have to catch up on the missed sleep as well as try to control my pain levels, which rise with insufficient sleep.

I wish I felt like cleaning the house when I can't sleep - then all would not be lost.

I'm looking forward to doing school visits. It gives me a chance to talk about my books for hours and no one minds!

So, this week I've been working on my school presentation PowerPoint presentation. I really like how it's turning out. I've put in movies, which is a first for me. And I'm learning to keep the slides simple and on target. Both these ideas were Doug's - thanks, Honey!

Over the last few days, my pain levels have usually stayed under a 2. I feel like I've gotten more done this week, which feels good, too.