I realized that I'd posted multiple things that were going wrong, or had gone wrong, but didn't ever say whether or not they'd been fixed. So...here's a consolidated update on multiple issues that have been going on.
1) Hands - My hands aren't as sore as they were. In fact, they're generally fine, except for one pinky that pops when it's cold or has been not used for a while (like when I've been asleep.) The joint pain I was experiencing went away when I drastically increased the amount of water I was drinking. Turns out, most of the problem was being caused by dehydration. Who knew?
2) Eyes - I don't think I'd actually posted about this, but another frustration I was having was the fact that my vision was going blurry at random times, for no real reason, even though my glasses were fairly new. This was a problem that started back in September, or at least that's when I noticed it, and there were times my eyes were so bad that I couldn't read basic print to fill out forms to get the girls into school. Talk about frustrating! Embroidery, or threading the sewing machine, were beyond difficult.
When I found a new doctor, I asked about my vision. I asked if maybe the antidepressants I was on were affecting my vision, but he said he'd never heard of that side effect. After trying to change the dosage...which may have helped my vision, but I couldn't really tell...apparently I was a bitch to live with. Better vision isn't worth alienating my family. So, I went back to the original dose, and decided to try fixing my eyes later.
I got a referral to an ophthalmologist, since it had been less than a year since I'd had my eyes checked, and it turns out that antidepressants can affect vision, especially if you're far-sighted (like I am.) Changing the medication wouldn't make a difference, since all of them seem to have the same effect. Apparently, it causes the muscles to relax a bit and that affects how the eyes work. I have a new prescription for glasses now, and I'll be glad when I actually get them and can see properly again. At least I know there's a solution.
3) Groceries - This month I'm trying to stick to a budget of $800 for the month. Last month I spent closer to $1000, and we were still scraping the bottom of the cupboards and freezer at the end of the month, desperately waiting for payday. Well, with some changes in the way I shopped and planned for this month, I'm currently setting at about $85 still available to spend on groceries for the next week, but I have plenty of meat and homemade bread in the freezer, fairly stocked cupboards, and the only things I really need to worry about buying over the next week is milk and fresh fruit/veg. It looks like I'm going to make it on budget, with enough food still in the pantry/freezer to give a decent start to next month. Another month or two like this and I may actually be able to build up a surplus of money in the account, along with stocked cupboards. Woot!
4) Job - I don't think I've specifically posted about this here, but I need a job. Partially, the extra money will relieve a bit of financial stress, but a job will also force me out of the house and into more situations where I'll have to talk to people. That's a good thing. A few weeks ago, no one was hiring. Now, though, it looks like places are starting to gear up and hire for spring and summer. I have applications in to several restaurants, and have had interviews with several as well, and am hoping to hear in the next week.
5) Crafty bits - I'm trying a crafting business again, but this time I'm not looking at doing custom orders yet. I'm making things that I want to make, and I'll try selling them both through Etsy and through some of the shops around here. If it works, I'll have a bit of extra money coming in to buy more/better craft supplies. I'm not necessarily looking at making a lot of money with this. Depending on how well it works, I'll either keep going and trying to sell things, or I'll just make things as gifts, and because I can't not make things.
6) House - While we've had a lot of issues - frozen pipes, mostly - things seem to be getting a bit better, or at least we seem to be getting a handle on them. After we make it through this winter, the pressure should be off a bit, and we'll be able to fix things on more of a schedule, instead of the triage we've been doing. There are still things to unpack, and things to buy (like shelves) that will make it easier to unpack, but we're getting there. Small steps every day will eventually get us to where we need/want to be.
7) Depression - There are good days, and bad days. I don't think that's going to change any time soon. I'm trying to take advantage of the good days to get things done, and learn that small steps forward on the bad days are still better than no progress. Remembering to acknowledge the small victories helps.
I think that generally covers things.
Progress - not perfection.
1) Hands - My hands aren't as sore as they were. In fact, they're generally fine, except for one pinky that pops when it's cold or has been not used for a while (like when I've been asleep.) The joint pain I was experiencing went away when I drastically increased the amount of water I was drinking. Turns out, most of the problem was being caused by dehydration. Who knew?
2) Eyes - I don't think I'd actually posted about this, but another frustration I was having was the fact that my vision was going blurry at random times, for no real reason, even though my glasses were fairly new. This was a problem that started back in September, or at least that's when I noticed it, and there were times my eyes were so bad that I couldn't read basic print to fill out forms to get the girls into school. Talk about frustrating! Embroidery, or threading the sewing machine, were beyond difficult.
When I found a new doctor, I asked about my vision. I asked if maybe the antidepressants I was on were affecting my vision, but he said he'd never heard of that side effect. After trying to change the dosage...which may have helped my vision, but I couldn't really tell...apparently I was a bitch to live with. Better vision isn't worth alienating my family. So, I went back to the original dose, and decided to try fixing my eyes later.
I got a referral to an ophthalmologist, since it had been less than a year since I'd had my eyes checked, and it turns out that antidepressants can affect vision, especially if you're far-sighted (like I am.) Changing the medication wouldn't make a difference, since all of them seem to have the same effect. Apparently, it causes the muscles to relax a bit and that affects how the eyes work. I have a new prescription for glasses now, and I'll be glad when I actually get them and can see properly again. At least I know there's a solution.
3) Groceries - This month I'm trying to stick to a budget of $800 for the month. Last month I spent closer to $1000, and we were still scraping the bottom of the cupboards and freezer at the end of the month, desperately waiting for payday. Well, with some changes in the way I shopped and planned for this month, I'm currently setting at about $85 still available to spend on groceries for the next week, but I have plenty of meat and homemade bread in the freezer, fairly stocked cupboards, and the only things I really need to worry about buying over the next week is milk and fresh fruit/veg. It looks like I'm going to make it on budget, with enough food still in the pantry/freezer to give a decent start to next month. Another month or two like this and I may actually be able to build up a surplus of money in the account, along with stocked cupboards. Woot!
4) Job - I don't think I've specifically posted about this here, but I need a job. Partially, the extra money will relieve a bit of financial stress, but a job will also force me out of the house and into more situations where I'll have to talk to people. That's a good thing. A few weeks ago, no one was hiring. Now, though, it looks like places are starting to gear up and hire for spring and summer. I have applications in to several restaurants, and have had interviews with several as well, and am hoping to hear in the next week.
5) Crafty bits - I'm trying a crafting business again, but this time I'm not looking at doing custom orders yet. I'm making things that I want to make, and I'll try selling them both through Etsy and through some of the shops around here. If it works, I'll have a bit of extra money coming in to buy more/better craft supplies. I'm not necessarily looking at making a lot of money with this. Depending on how well it works, I'll either keep going and trying to sell things, or I'll just make things as gifts, and because I can't not make things.
6) House - While we've had a lot of issues - frozen pipes, mostly - things seem to be getting a bit better, or at least we seem to be getting a handle on them. After we make it through this winter, the pressure should be off a bit, and we'll be able to fix things on more of a schedule, instead of the triage we've been doing. There are still things to unpack, and things to buy (like shelves) that will make it easier to unpack, but we're getting there. Small steps every day will eventually get us to where we need/want to be.
7) Depression - There are good days, and bad days. I don't think that's going to change any time soon. I'm trying to take advantage of the good days to get things done, and learn that small steps forward on the bad days are still better than no progress. Remembering to acknowledge the small victories helps.
I think that generally covers things.
Progress - not perfection.
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