CFS Tuesday

(our ongoing series about life with CFS)

Yes, it's Wednesday. I just realized that I completely forgot about CFS Tuesday. Let's talk about why, because it is an interesting look at life with CFS.

My brother is on the staff of Virginia Tech. Thankfully, he was not injured in the shootings on Monday. Thankfully, he has a cell phone so my parents and I were able to speak to him very soon after the shootings. However, I spent most of Monday glued to the television. Even though my brother is ok, I am still very upset by these shootings. I am spending a lot time thinking about the VT community. The campus is beautiful, and it is hard to imagine what it is like now.

So Monday was a high stress day. And CFS and stress do not mix. Stress is a guaranteed path to exacerbation of all symptoms. By Monday evening, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. My pain escalated; my sore throat resurfaced. An upper respiratory virus that I thought I had recovered from came back with a vengeance.

Tuesday passed in a blur. I spent the day in bed, only coming downstairs for dinner and a little television. I slept a fair amount, and my throat has become very painful. My tonsils are red and swollen, and my congestion has increased. I'm hitting it with all the OTC drugs I can, and monitoring my temperature for any sign of fever.

Now on Wednesday morning, I'm wondering what happened to the week. I forgot about CFS Tuesday, and maybe half a dozen other things. I lost last week to the respiratory virus, and now I've lost a few more days. This week illustrates one of the challenges of life with CFS. A deviation from the norm, and unexpected stress, has consequences for days afterwards. I can't work a little harder to catch up. I still only get two hours or less a day of functionality. Navigating the uneven waters of life is tricky when it is so difficult to keep yourself on even keel.

One Last Thing

Dear Swatchy,

I'm sorry about your surgery, but at least Noricum takes good care of you. Feel better soon. Visit another yarn store - that always helps!

Anyway, I forgot to tell you that while I was in VA for Thanksgiving, I caught up with Swatchy C at Eliza's house.

She had just gotten back from the Middle East. Between you and me, I think she lost a few pounds. Maybe she caught a stomach bug over there. Anyway, she had a good time and will be posting some pictures of her trip soon.

Here we are on Eliza's new rug, which she brought home on the plane in a duffel bag!

Isn't it pretty? And it feels like velvet.

That's all from me for now. On Saturday, I'm off to Costa Rica!

Love, McSwatchy

Quilty McSwatchy

When we last left McSwatchy, he was at Uniquities with Knittah's Mom and Auntie L. After buying yarn, they headed to the Jinny Beyer Studio. This is another one of Knittah's favorite places because Knittah, like her Auntie L, is also a quiltah. Jinny Beyer is a famous quilter and fabric designer. Her studio in Virginia is a lovely store, filled with lovely things.


McSwatchy perched on the mantel to survey the scene. You can see one of Jinny Beyer's fabrics on the wall behind him.


There was lots of fabric.


There was lots of thread.


More fabric!


Some puzzle balls. Knittah was addicted to making these (before she started knitting).

But the most amazing thing McSwatchy found at the fabric store was:

YARN! Apparently, Knittah is not the only one who crosses over.

Yarny McSwatchy

On Black Friday, McSwatchy and Knittah's mom (and Auntie L) went to Uniquities in Virginia.


There were knitted objects aplenty . . .



. . . lots of yummy yarny goodness . . .


. . . and buttons too:


McSwatchy got to meet the staff:


And a very nice lady in line, too:


Knittah's Mom says that Uniquities had a lot of yarn crammed into its tiny space, and did some stash enhancement for herself. She bought some Schaefer Anne and Blue Sky Organic Cotton to make a Baby Bobbi Bear. And like the wonderful Mom she is, she brought Knittah some Lorna's Laces Shepherd's Sock.

McSwatchy Thanksgiving

Knittah could not go to Thanksgiving with her family, so Swatchy McSwatchypants went in her place. Knittah's mom took good care of McSwatchy but did not want to write these posts. Knittah is adding the commentary to her mom's great photos. First, McSwatchy was introduced to Knittah's Auntie L, and Mom's dog Sasha:


McSwatchy started eating right away: an appetizer of M&Ms and pie for breakfast!


Knittah's family is very bookish, so McSwatchy got in on the act:


Then it was on to the very serious business of Thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunately, the picture of McSwatchy with the gorgeous turkey came out very blurry. Here are some others, though:



That's Knittah's Mom and Eliza, who will be posting about travelling with Swatchy C very soon.

Finally, McSwatchy was stuffed. "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!"


So time for another Thanksgiving tradition: the NAP!