Housewives of MN

I realized today that I’m living a dream. I watched those silly women on the Real Housewives of Orange County and – even though they wouldn’t agree – my life is SO much FULLER than theirs seem to be. They don’t have any pretty snow, for one thing…

With all the physical pain of the past few months, the unwanted drama (actually, it’s been pretty drama free…) and other life events that have ‘enriched’ my life in the past few years, I am SO damned lucky.

But yesterday was a hard day physically.

YESTERDAY
I had planned to take my driving test. Then I thought I couldn’t. Then I wanted to. Then I didn’t want to. You see, I’ve failed it twice since we moved here from NJ. I allowed myself to psyche myself out. I kept seeing THIS

And Here was my horoscope for yesterday (Mr. Levine, are you watching me…?):

You can’t decide whether or not to go ahead with your plans because the pros and cons seem pretty evenly balanced. But even if you finally choose against pushing forward today, you might surprise yourself and suddenly take the next step anyhow. Be careful; if you make a false start, you may just have to begin anew next week.

And damned if I didn’t drive to Eagan, take the test, and score 100%!

But damn if I also didn’t forget my 2 forms if ID… So back home I drove, picked up my passport, then returned and waited in line AGAIN.

The drive(s) to Eagan, the waiting in line(s), the test itself, it all just exhausted me.

When I got in the car to drive home I realized how tired I was. Across the street was a movie theater, so I figured I’d see ANYTHING just to sit down for an hour or two.

Happily, I saw most of The Young Victoria – it was lovely. I’m afraid I didn’t like the bonnets as much as I’d hoped, but the dresses and men’s clothing were brilliant. Sandy Powell continues to be my heroine. I am proud to have worked with her once upon a time (I knitted a sweater for Dennis Quaid for Far From Heaven back in 2002, she was the designer.)

Then I drove home and rolled into a little, tiny ball and wept in pain until I slept. A rich and full day. And that’s the price we pay for 100% scores on driving tests in Minnesota.

TODAY
I started the day with a wonderful session with my acupuncturist at Crocus Hill Acupuncture.

The woman is a genius. She cupped me – which my father-in-law would call toten bahnks – and oddly enough much of the continuing pain in my shoulders and neck was beautifully reduced. Huzzah!

Before I left, she put little ‘beads’ on points in my ears, stuck with clear plastic, so I can self-pressure -point myself to help with my breathing (she said one client kept them on for a month!) AND my breathing is so much better today.

Then home to work a bit – polishing up videos for my next online class, The Mitered Handbag – and then continuing my day of leisure for a massage in the afternoon.

Several years ago I got a pretty ‘severe’ haircut at a local salon. To apologize, the manager gave me a gift certificate for a massage, but their massage guy left soon after. The gift certificate sat unused for 3 years.

When I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia this past Christmas I dug up the certificate, saw that it had NO expiration date, and was gratified to learn that they now have TWO massage therapists on staff!

Let me tell you, aside from a massage I got from a friend in Colorado a few years ago (my first – thanks Ruth!) this was the BEST I’d ever had.

This, joined with the acupuncture, created the PERFECT day for a woman with Fibro!

TOMORROW
I miss travel. I don’t miss the pain, the exhaustion, and I don’t miss missing my family (what a dream it is to be able to hug them, kiss them, whenever I want…)

But I miss being on the road, and I miss seeing friends. So guess what Mr. Levine had to say to me TODAY?

You may be frustrated by the lack of fun in your life now. Even if you have attempted to make time for some pleasure, it’s been hard to make much progress these last couple of weeks. Don’t lose faith; things are going to loosen up very soon. In the meantime, try to get your ducks in a row so you are ready to fly when given clearance for takeoff.

My local knitting group is going away for the weekend, women who are good enough friends that I can just sit on the sofa and rest – they’ll let me be a piece of broccoli and stare out the window. But it will be insanely good to be with friends all weekend. I miss seeing friends.

I’m going up tomorrow, back on Sunday, and I’m taking my gluten free snacks with me.