The other updates...

[catherineldf]

Starting with the least pleasant one. Jana has deteriorated a lot in the last few months. She is rapidly becoming nonverbal and is having increasing motor control issues. It is next to impossible to talk to her, at least for me, and it's breaking what's left of my heart in that regard. This disease can absolutely fuck off into the sun.

Okay, that said, I'm doing some things for self-care. My current day job contract is also rife with unpleasantness so this is beyond essential.

1. I went to a bed store on Lake Street on Sunday and bought a new bed, one both fancy and on sale. It is fabulous and I also got a bed base that can be adjusted at the head and the feet. I have been in constant pain from my hip and leg for over a year now (there are good days and bad days) and I have a more pronounced limp and a harder time getting up if I sit too long. My sleep is wildly irregular. Our bed is nearly 25 years old and the mattress is at least 10 so it was past time. I lay on the sample bed in the store chatting up the sales guy while I played with the controls and for five glorious minutes, nothing hurt. Shows up next weekend and I am very excited.
2. I acquired an awesome tea pot with a cephalopod on it, also on sale.
3. I have made time for writing (next werewolf novel has cleared 10k words on this draft) and I am working on a new Joanna Russ-related project that I'll announce soon.
4. I am walking more and trying to remember to stretch.This worked well last week when my power was out for 2 days and the car was sealed in the garage. I walked a lot of places.
5. Next up: buying a new, more ergonomic office chair.
6. Seeing a massage therapist this week and continuing with my weekly online movement class with Cassandra Shore,
7. Doing some of the end of life planning stuff that I need to tackle. I realize that this isn't self care for everyone, but it is for me.
8. Calming my schedule where I can so I have more time for rest and friends. I'm going to hear the Tannahill Weavers at the Cedar this week, among other things.

Also this weekend, I tabled at the inaugural Carver County Pride with author Abra Staffin-Wiebe and had a fine time. We even had one of the semi-mythical "I'll take one of everything" book shoppers. It's happened to me once before in person and it is the BEST. Anyway, lovely weather, good event, nice people, would do again.

I put out a new-to-us novella though Queen of Swords Press last week. Point of Knives (Astreiant #2) by Melissa Scott answers the big question: when are Nico and Philip going to get together? Oh, and solve a murder mystery? Great stuff! :-)

Look for Michael Merriam and me at the Queen of Swords Press booth at Pagan Pride at Minnehaha Falls this Saturday, if you're local. And more to come.

Comments

[queenoftheskies]

I'm very sorry to hear about Jana, Catherine.

Glad to hear, though, that you are taking great steps to take care of yourself. ::HUGS::

[catherineldf]

Thank you!

[marthawells]

I'm sorry to hear about Jana. It's such a fucking horrible disease.

Self-care is awesome. It is amazing how much difference a good bed makes!

[catherineldf]

Thank you! I am so looking forward to the bed! The last year has been pretty rough on multiple levels.

[heavenscalyx]

Oooooof, I'm so sorry to hear about Jana. As you say, that disease can fuck off into the sun.

I hope the self-care is helping! Good on you for making it happen!

[catherineldf]

Thank you! It's quite the journey. Hope you're doing well!

[annathepiper]

I cannot begin to imagine how much Jana's condition must suck for you. Love and sympathies.

[catherineldf]

Thank you. This year has been quite the decade, so far. Fingers crossed for good news for you, though!