Just for me today

[mellie4]

Today is going to be for me.  (Well, after I get Costco out of the way.)  Money has been tight for me for most of the summer.  Mostly because being on worker's comp, my income is drastically reduced. Then I threw the lavish (and expensive) graduation party for Daughter Number 1 ... and don't regret it at all.  Then it was her 18th birthday, getting her stuff for her dorm and the other kids had to get back to school clothes and supplies.

I don't spend too much on myself but I do like getting my hair and nails done.  I love my hairdresser and he's so good that he's very hard to get an appointment with.  I book the whole year with him in advance.  But he's outrageously expensive and I had to cancel several appointments.

I also like (and need) getting my nails done, especially pedicures.  WIth my hands being so bad, it's hard to clip my own nails.  But, again, I've been doing my own (and not doing a great job) for the past couple of months.

Yesterday brought a great surprise.  My ex, who hasn't paid child support since we separated five years ago, finally got caught by the Department of Revenue.  I just received my first child support check!!!  Granted, it's not nearly what it should be for four kids, but it is something.

With the little bit of extra money, my money will go further.  Yesterday, I got the kids new cell phones.  They were on the pay-as-you-go phones and it was too expensive and they were always running out of minutes.  What they (and I) have ended up with is a great deal from Boost Mobile.  It's not quite a contract but it's not pay-as-you-go.  I did have to put out more money than I wanted as I had to buy the phones but this one is prepaid for a month.  You get unlimited talk, text and internet.  I had researched every family plan there is and with 4 kids couldn't find anything reasonable, which is why I went with the pay-as-you go, which also wasn't working budget-wise.  This monthly plan is going to save me tons.  (Now I just have to figure out how to use the new phone!!!)

But I'm most looking forward to getting my hair highlighted today and getting my nails done.  I made a great chicken soup/stew for my dad yesterday and I'm going to get the kids takeout, and I am going to have a nice dinner with my BF.

I really feel like having my hair and nails done do so much for me mentally ... when I look better, I feel a bit better.  And even if I don't feel all that great, at least I look less like a hag.  I swear CP ages you!

Anyone have any nice plans for themselves for the weekend?

[mellie4]

Well, this reaction has sort of kicked my butt! Finally last night I was able to enjoy a little champagne with M.  We went to do a couple of errands a bit later and were going to grab dinner or that great pizza and I just couldn't.  Maybe it's not even a reaction to the shot.  It feels like the worst fibromyalgia flare-up ever.  (My initial onset with it over ten years ago was really bad but within six or eight months, I seemed to get it under control.  I still get very occasional flare-ups but they're usually fairly minor and go away quickly.)

Since I had a car accident in April, I've had more than a few flare-ups but they've resolved fairly quickly.

I assumed how I was feeling was from the flu shot but maybe it's not.   Every joint and muscle in my body are aching and painful, and it feels so deep.  And I'm getting so tired (but the good sleep I need is still somewhat elusive and what I do get doesn't seem to be that restorative.

As we were doing a couple of errands last night, I had such a deep fatigue come over me.  It came on so suddenly.  Even M. noticed it and had me pull over so he could drive.  I ended up telling him I just wasn't up to going out or even getting takeout and I went home.   He was even worried about me getting home (and to tell the truth, so was I.  If it wasn't a school night for the kids, I would have stayed at his house.  (And BTW, he is so nice when I'm not feeling good.  Last time I was sick, about a year ago, he tucked me into bed, insisted on taking my temperature, ran out and got me stuff he thought I might eat and drink, and then just sat with me while I slept ... no wonder I adore this guy ... when I was having tests at the hospital a few years back, my ex kept complaining about how he hated "wasting" a nice day inside and how much longer were we going to be "stuck" here.)

M. is always so understanding with my pain issues, probably because he's a chronic pain patient, too.  (He also never says a word when I have to cancel because of the kids or if I have to leave early or suddenly because of the kids.  He really has tremendous patience with me.  Sometimes my kids can get really needy and with 4 of them, often my phone will ring time after time with one or the other calling with some dilemma (to them).  Never does he say a word about it.)

Anyway, I have no idea if I coincidentally got the flu (though it's a bit early), if it's a reaction or if it's just a really bad fibro flare-up.

I'm going to try to finish up some things that can't be put off and then see if I can crawl into bed for a bit.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Mellie,

I am so glad you received Child Support and just as glad that you treated yourself. I am sorry you ended u with a reaction to the flu shot. It's no longer a live virus but sometimes you can react anyway.

How did the pizza go?? And champagne??

~Tuck

[geminigirl1963]

I'm sorry you had to cancel your "me" day - and that you had such a hard time with the flu shot.  I've only gotten the flu shot three times and every time I've had a really, really bad reaction to them (like the one that your BF had).  Once I even ended up in the hospital because I got so sick.  Anyway - even though I'm in one of the "higher" risk categories due to all my health problems and SHOULD get the shot every year, I made the decision to never get it again - I'll take my chances on the possibility of getting sick "the old fashioned way" - fortunately (knock on wood and hope I haven't jinxed myself) - I've not had an a case of the flu as severe as the reaction that landed my in the hospital.

I hope you were able to get the pizza you were craving and are feeling much better by now!

[JadedSweetheart]

I hope you start feeling better, Mellie!  It seems like that happens to me a lot.. I make plans (like the high school reunion), then for some reason my health craps out on me and I have to hang at home.  
I am planning on getting my hair done when DH and I recover financially from all we've been going through.  I was getting my nails done for a while last winter and it really did make me feel more human!  
I just got some of the glue on that I was doing before I was getting them done.  For me they last almost 2 weeks and only cost $6 a package.  I also don't have to make an appt which for me is good because I've had to cancel a lot of things lately.  Most people ask me where I get them done when I have the glue-on ones and they do look like I had them done.  It's still not the same as just sitting in the chair and relaxing for a while.
I do feel a lot prettier with the nails and I like it.  I hope you have a great night with the BF tonight!  

[mellie4]

Well, this plan backfired!!  I got a flu shot on Friday night, and yesterday afternoon got really sick.  I must have had a reaction.  (Last year my BF got a really violent reaction .... very high fever, hot and cold sweats,muscle aches, and slightly delirious from the high temp.

Mine wasn't that bad ... just moderate flu-like symptoms.   I was achy, really, really tired; couldn't keep my eyes open.  I ended up crawling into bed and falling asleep really early.  I slept from nne or ten until 2:30-ish.  (Most sleep I've had in quite a while.)


So, the BF and I are going to try for a later afternoon together. Maybe share a bottle of champagne and I'm craving a pizza from an amazing pizza parlor near his house.  Wish me luck!

[mellie4]

I'm hoping this is going to happen.  I got a flu shot last night and I think I'm having a reaction.  All of a sudden at the hair dresser I got extremely tired.   I was falling asleep while he was talking to me.  And I'm freezing cold.  When he girl was washing my hair, I thought she was usin cold water but she wasn't.   The new flu shot incorporates the 2 flu strains plus he H1N1.  I alway get the shot and never have a problem.  So I'm going to climb into bed and take a nap and see if it helps.

Sara, I hope you post pictures of homecoming.  Such a fun night for them.  I always found them bittersweet.

Optimus22, private message me if you're interested in the plan I got.  With kids, it's hard to keep the bill low but this is great.

[Sarajmt]

Good for you!!  You deserve a pampering.  So glad to hear you're getting it.

This weekend for me is all about the girls and homecoming.  Tonight's the dance.  My daughter's first semi formal dance.  She's about to jump out of her skin she's so excited.  I"ll try to get some pix up of both girls and my son and his date.

[flower12345]

That's great! It's so important to do things for ourselves sometimes because it's so hard to live with constant pain. I'm so happy for you. You reminded me that I'd like to do something for myself too, lol.

Hugs,

Flower

[optimus22mac]

We all need a day like that once in a while! Good for you!
I laugh when you say you need to figure out how to use the phone...I am EXACTLY the same! I basically answer it and call ppl...I hate texting even though my new phone has a full keyboard... I DO need to look into a few cheap phones/plans for my boys (13 and 14) esp since the eldest is in HIGH SCHOOL.  I just will have to get all tough and gangster with them when explaining the privilege...and how they will pay for broken phones!!

Well, since my husband had been gone in the truck since last Sunday morning, I plan on spending most of the weekend relaxing and letting him take care of me hahaha...and the kids....or I'll seclude myself in the bedroom for hours at a time.  

My dear friend has a birthday on Monday, and she deserves to be treated like a queen all the time (mom of 5 boys under 10...2 of them hers, the other 3 have a psycho mother who belongs in Siberia or something.  This friend of mine really is special and helps me out so much all the time too.  So, we'll do luch on Monday, and hopefully do a mani/pedi also...while our kids are at school:)

Well, I hope you have an amazing day Mellie:)