Just stuff

[greatbear]

It might be a blustery, cold evening here, with temps in the mid-upper 20s and some insane winds, but the house is nice and toasty with the woodstove cranking out the heat, and with a nice bonus of a loaf of whole wheat bread baking, making the nice warm house smell like absolute heaven. A few minutes and the bread is done. Jeff has been on a bit of cooking and especially baking binge the last couple days, and tonight is no different.

I'm currently taking new meds to deal with the nerve damage left over from the spine surgery. It's toned down the electrical storm that has wracked my body since the day my vertebra were sawed up, and I am able to plop myself in bed and sleep like a baby for a most part. I'm still plagued with the numbness, but that might not be quite as bad. The tasering feeling is much diminished, but still there too as well as weakness and occasional loss of control. The only side effects are a slightly loopy feeling and a bipolar appetite.

Still taking it easy and holding off on building the roof window light shafts into the living room. I'm spending the time doing little tasks for the most part, and have been cleaning/lubing hand and power tools while not using them. I have almost a quarter mil invested in tools and machinery (really, it even surprised me) and I try to keep things in good working order. It's tough to find decent tools these days, and good ones are seriously expensive. Most of what I have will easily outlast me. Tools are something special to me. They are a way one practices their craft, earns a living, helps others out, creates and fixes. Tools are an extension of a person, and deserve the same respect. During the recent times I have not been able to use my tools I saw them filled with history and work. Taking some time now and then to exercise some TLC on a lot of my tools was a relaxing and fulfilling task. Since the surgery I've sorta jumped the gun to get back into some work, and it was it's own sort of therapy. I guess I'm one of those who has hands-on work burned completely into my very being.

During this post the bread had finished baking and we sampled it warm and fresh. Yeah, a little slice of heaven.

Have a great week, everyone.

Comments

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

You finally getting relief from the nerve pain makes me smile.

Dave's been crazy baking lately too. Although, I've always been the bread guy.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Me too. Fresh bread gets almost always immediately sliced and sampled without any sort of topping. I'm addicted.

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

I very much appreciate your attitude towards tools. It's a view I wish more people shared.

Also: Excellent for diminution of pain. I expect nothing short of recovery.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I'll probably expand on the tool thing in it's own post. Being such a serious user of tools the things are not just accessories, but an actual extension of who/what I am. I have tools from when I was very young, many are worn out yet I still hold onto them for sentimental reasons. I use my tools hard, but still try to take care of them. Periodically I get into a mood to give them a once-over cleaning, oiling and inspection. Since this summer I was not able to do a whole lot with most of my outdoor equipment due to my injuries, so I would roll each one over, sit on the floor (since standing or even sitting in a chair was painful) and give all the equipment everything from a simple tune-up and cleaning to a complete overhaul along with modifications and whatnot. It was a pleasurable task, I was able to direct my nervous energy into something I can come back to when I would recover, and everything would be in top shape. I have a tough time sitting around doing nothing, I have building and fixing things burned into my brain since kindergarten.

I hope I meet those expectations of recovery, I'm not out of the woods yet.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that the new meds are more effective!

HUGS!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I don't need a reminder if I miss a dose, I start hurting soon enough!

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Relief from pain is excellent, dude!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Most definitely!

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear things are subsiding as far as the nerve issues and you can sleep well, I love a good night's sleep myself. :-)

Baking or in general, cooking, for some reason, the cold, wet weather of winter will do that to many people and nothing is more heavenly than freash baked bread (having experience that in my youth, it's indeed one of life's little treasures).

I think with the more expected funds this month, some food stuffs will be purchased like dried black eyed peas and read beans and cheese and some fresh olive oil to stock the pantry might be in order.

I like your attitude about tools and such, a nice way to look at life in general.

Hugs to you sweet man.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

There's a definite feeling of comfort when the cold weather finally pushes me into the house and the holidays roll around. In the winter there were/are "the big four" special days for me. T-Day, Christmas, New Year, and in early February there was Mom's and my birthdays. So, it's easy for me to become emotional, withdrawn and such during the winter months and all the big "reminders" they bring.

[darke.livejournal.com]

pain management and recovery from nasty back stuff is the worst, in my opinion. I had no idea how involved my back was in just about everything until I broke mine and they cut me open to fix me. I am glad to hear it is starting to come together for you and hope it continues to do so.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

People have given me mixed reviews on back surgery. Some had it easy, others had it worse than I did. Mine has come with an unexpected twist, something that seems to happen a lot with me. I hope this continues to improve. I am an impatient sort.

[darke.livejournal.com]

For me, in retrospect, most of my problems came from my own expectations. I very much expected a night and day thing with regards to pain. Not so much and it was a hard lesson to learn. In fact, it was almost 2 years from the surgery before I had the moment where I suddenly realized: "I've not hurt in a long time". Admittedly, I couldn't figure out when the moment had actually come because the progress from "HOLY SHIT I AM DYING" to "huh when did I hurt last" was so gradual.

[kirbymiles.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear your healing continues and you are feeling better.

I always loved working with my hands and I have more tools than I need.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the well-wishing. :)

People tell me I have way too many tools, but I use them all. When I decide to tackle a job I have not done before, I purchase the needed tools, do the work and still come out far ahead cost-wise over having to hire a "pro" to do the work. I have decent results, and a means to do the same job again for myself or others. The only sore point is storage of all the tools and machinery. I have a lot of space here, and it's getting crowded!

[2stroker.livejournal.com]

I'm happy for you that things are improving and glad you are finally letting yourself rest and heal.I share your passion for tools and working with your hands.Taking care of your tools,oiling them,cleaning then,and organizing them is a good project to do as you recover and I'm sure it makes you happy just handling them.That happiness will also help you in your recovery.All the best to you.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

True, there is happiness found in just handling the tools and giving them some care. It's not much different in appreciating art, accomplishments or other facets in life. I can look at a ratchet or hammer and think of the history behind it. It's a comfort, and it's satisfaction.

Thanks for all the good vibes.

[beastbriskett.livejournal.com]

Taking care of the things that bring you happiness is a reward in itself; it's a bit like giving back.
What wonderful news about the zap-reduction! It's great to unclench :D