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Posted 9/23/2013 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Even though my Lupus is really quiet these days, I generally sleep till about 9:30 or 10.

Today I have painters here, and I am exhausted. Had to clear out 3 rooms of fragile items and pictures, etc so they can paint. Plus take down 5 mini-blinds -- not sure why each blind needed 6 1.5" screws to hold them up. Lots of unscrewing of really tight screws over your head is exhausting!! As was moving, cleaning, etc. So sore and tired at bedtime last night!!!

Fortunately soreness is mostly gone today, but didn't sleep well due to nervousness about oversleeping. Up at 7, workmen here at 8...still feeling very bleary-eyed a little after noon. The cat & I are trapped in the bedroom & office until they get done, or leave for the day which isn't till 6!!!! Have to go out for lunch in a bit as I have the china cabinet blocking the panty. (Didn't think ahead on that one, which I would have pre-lupie!)

Before Lupus this would have been no big deal...now it's a trial and I need Xanax or other anti-anxiety meds to get thru it all!!! How life has changed...

Hope everyone is managing today...
Posted 9/23/2013 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Lynn, I am so sorry you are having to do this paint job. I know exactly what you are going thru. My mother sold her home and moved to Ariz. She nor I could take care of one another any longer.

I am married to a man who HATES to do furniture moving or just change period. Today should be the last day I need him I hope. I have a mid 1800s china cab, full of fine china which I better get a move on. I just had to scan my HW family. Here I find somone going thru similair job. I am going to hire painters for my guest bedrooms. My husband just cant do things like that. Actually he has surprised me and I bless him for it. As you know, keeping everything as simple and lowkey as possible. Stess makes me hurt so much worse. I am having my final injections tomorrow, done by neurosurgeon at base of my skull.

I will be watching for you Lynn. Take care dear. I dont know how long it may be before I can get on my lap top.
The stress on my shoulders and hands I cant do for awhile.....hugs to you lynn.....Cathy
Posted 9/23/2013 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynnwood - Your post made me smile since I am feeling the same. I am two weeks into a total gut kitchen remodel. 2 weeks with no sink, or stove. Fridge is in the family room, along with MW and toaster oven and small counter. It's haphazard, but functioning, although the heavy sighing is getting much more frequent! Never mind the swearing. This wouldn't be such a big deal if we could go out to eat, but celiac puts a big crimp on that style (hubby is in same boat). So cooking and dish washing....think camping, without the great outdoors.

And, like you, I'm a 9-10 o'clock riser as well. Contracter arrives at 8, so I'm up at 7. Base cabinets are being installed today, but we are at least 2 weeks away from a reconstructed kitchen. I know it will be worth it, but after feeling well for awhile, the cumulative effects of not enough sleep, change in diet, fluctuating weather and just general stress and change in routine have me feeling beat. I'm spacey, can't seem to grip anything - constantly dropping everything, hands and shoulders and knees are really painful. I need a nap two hours after getting up but it's hard to accomplish with all the banging and pounding. By the end of the day, fatigue and malaise are steadfast companions.

Last Feb. we had painters in and I flared badly - but I think it was mostly from the paint fumes (I would never do that again when the windows had to remain closed).

Anyway - hang in there - I'll be thinking of you. wink
Posted 9/23/2013 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I feel a bit less alone. Every room, except bathrooms, is in disarray of one sort or another. Only one cat, with regular cleaning, but finding cat hair/dust on everything!!

I can't imagine a 4-week kitchen project -- so I'm not doing one! I will be getting carpet in 3 rooms in a few months -- more discomfort.

Fumes --- ICK! Thank goodness it's 78 today and not 90 (Atlanta).

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all of us. :-)
Posted 9/23/2013 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
We're fixing to go through some remodeling ourselves in the house. We are pulling up the old carpet in my parents' bedroom and installing laminate flooring. Then removing parque flooring in the dining room and laying laminate floor there too. Not before going under the house and putting in new shake seals. Our floors bounce in this hundred year old house.
It doesn't help that the rooms are 16 x 16 and takes up to a week or more for the whole process of removing and replacing things for each room. Get me a large tub of ben gay to soak in please. Ugh!
Posted 9/23/2013 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, great. Just determined thermostat is disconnected to paint around it ...getting toasty in here. I may be on the verge of crying -- or at least whining.

And noticed you all say "WE" ...it's just me & the cat trying to manage here. I find no "emoticon" for feeling whiny, this will have to do shakehead
Posted 9/24/2013 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
My "we" is mainly my 77 yr old father and me. He's in better shape than me. :))

I'm hoping my brother, his son, and my sister's daughter will be able to lend a hand or two. Mama said she will help some too on a few things. But the brunt of the work is on my father and me. Sigh....
Posted 9/24/2013 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Lynnwood:

I'm hoping that you and your cat made it through the day okay. I'm afraid to ask how long did your thermostat have to remain disconnected? I 'm hoping that they had it reconnected and up and running really quick for you.

How are you feeling this evening? I hope that it's not to bad with the symptoms and hopefully a goods night sleep will have you feeling much better in the morning. Are you completed with the painting in the house? How many more repairs are going to have to be done? Will there be many more days of renovation going on? If so, you know you and the cat are welcome to come and visit for a few days if you would like to.

You sounded so sad and down in the spirits this morning, I'm hoping that by now things have calmed down tonight and that you're getting ready to call it a night. Know that you're being thought of, even though I'm not near by. I'm always there with you in spirit and just a phone call away.

Hope you have a good night and sleep well.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 9/24/2013 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Lynnwood,

Hoping you are getting some rest and feeling a little better. Just had to replace some mini-blinds at my house and your post made me laugh out loud. Why DO they need so many screws? They are MINI blinds!
Posted 9/24/2013 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Slept much better last night with a friends AC. Today they were supposed to paint windows inside and out, but we have a light sprinkle now so not sure what the plan will be. Also will be installing crown moulding downstairs -- a noisy task, I'm sure.

Yeah, 6 screws for a <1/2 lb plastic mini-blind! And I'll be the one installing 5 new ones. Fortunately, they are not in primary places so can take my time.

It's the big stack of living room furniture in the middle with a dusty tarp over it that's a bit scary right now!
Posted 9/24/2013 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Ah, today is going much easier - remembered to take some anxiety meds.
Posted 9/25/2013 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Exhausted. Painters say 1/2 a day to go. Then at least a week of cleanup (this part left for me & the cat).

8:55 pm and I'm going to bed!
Posted 9/26/2013 6:57 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hi Lynnwood,

     Reading this thread made me realize just how much having Lupus has made my beginning of the school year so difficult.  Life was pretty great this summer and I returned to work feeling energized.  We now have completed the first week of school and I feel drained.  Most of my symptoms have come back raging, even nose sore, which I haven't had in years!!!  Thankfully, I have Fridays off and I get to rest.  The week starts off strong, but by Thursday I am a wreck.  Tonight was the worst.  Here I am, awake and restless at almost midnight, knowing I have to be up by 6 AM to go to work!!  My brain is foggy.  My knees ache and my hands are swollen.  I wish this would just go away!!!

Laura

Posted 9/26/2013 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Yay! Painters gone. Off course nothing in the house is in the correct spot, and it is all covered with dust & grime, but at least it's MY space again!

Slightly more energy now (maybe because the furniture is moved from in front of the panty and I can eat!)

lol
Posted 9/26/2013 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
LOL - I find the "people in your space" every day the hardest thing. I have the best, tidiest, most cheerful contractor, who is even friendly to the dog - and it's just him, not a big crew - but I find that I still breathe a huge sigh of relief when he leaves for the day and I am alone with the dog (at least until hubby arrives home). We are making headway, and the end is in sight - and I know it will be so worth it, never mind the dust and chaos that remains to be dealt with. A couple of years ago I couldn't have managed ANY of this - heck, I could barely manage a shower or a trip up the stairs - so this is another reason to grin and just be glad it's getting done.

I have always loved the way a coat of paint can refresh and rejuvenate a room and change the energy. Years ago I spent a great deal of time with a brush or roller in my hand just for the buzz. It's a Zen thing :-)
Can't really do that myself on a whim anymore and kind of miss it. I hope you are enjoying your new room - which has to be tons easier with access to snacks yeah
Posted 9/26/2013 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynnwood. I'm so glad your painters are done. That being said, please take your time cleaning the dust and grime (rhyme intended :). Take your much earned break. Love Ya, Donna
Posted 9/27/2013 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I did nothing today. Ate, slept, read 2 books.

Saved lots of stuff for tomorrow - replacing registers, electrical sockets & switches, window handles & locks, then cleanup from that and maybe moving furniture.....

Well, maybe for the next few days...

Hope y'all are taking the slow and steady route and not exhausting yourselves! Thanks so much for the support, I'm glad I'm not alone.

Cheers -
Posted 9/27/2013 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Lucysd - Hope the kitchen moves fast! I am so glad I can get to my pantry and the oven today!

Anyone have a good line of some mini-blinds that DON'T have 6 screws each? Wonder if I can try some good super-glue? LOL.

Sometimes I have to amuse myself.
Posted 9/27/2013 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
I know you were kidding. You were kidding about the super glue, right? I can't help myself - just in case, you must never ever ever ever ever EVER do that!!!! When we moved into our current house there were insulated blinds tucked into tracks that were GLUED to the window frame.

What we originally thought would be a quick fix/switch having to do with filling screw holes, turned into stripping and re-finishing every. darn. window. shakehead

I have used self adjusting (no pull cord) pleated shades from Lowe's and been impressed with their durability and insulating ability. Two screws per window and relatively inexpensive. Only thing is they are either up or down - nothing in between.

Glad I got that off my chest turn
Posted 9/28/2013 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, my! Why am I surprised that someone actually used superglue?!

I do have some pleated shades for some windows, but these 5 need mini-blinds to let in sun but not totally direct sun...and sun angles change a lot during the year here.

Turned out the wall/ceiling painting is excellent, but the window painting sucks. The windows were self-striping!! Paint falling off and leaving bare wood behind...contract said "sand to a fine edge". Seems to me that means I shouldn't be able to feel the transition between new-paint-on-wood and new-paint-on-old-paint. Well, I can see the transitions on outside 2ond floor windows from the ground outside....and the "glaze" looks more like caulk and is smeared over the windows.

So have to wait for remedy before re-assembling my house.

Larger crown mold messed up AC vents -- a bit too much for me to handle.

Whole house a mess - as a neatnik and a perfectionist I am disturbed!!! I have one okay room -- but it's a windowless 1/2 bath!!!

Trying to keep my chin up but wanting to sob uncontrollably.
Posted 9/28/2013 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Lynn:

This is just awful devil devil devil devil sounds like they didn't know what they were doing period!!!!! I know you have already contacted them, but I would insist that they return today to start to fix this problem.

I know what a "CLEANING FREAK" my daughters words, you and I are. I've been accused of making my child uncomfortable in the house these days. She says it looks like a show house, I've been in your home and you pretty much have a show house too. I understand the wanting to sob feeling.

I've felt that way ever since August 17th when I ruptured my tendon. Hubby just doesn't keep things the way I do. I'm still not allowed full weight on my foot yet, so I'm trying to hide in my bedroom away from the house. You could come up here and see me, then if you really needed to clean.......... shocked shocked Just kidding on the cleaning part, but you're welcome to come visit.

How are you you feeling physically, is the lupus flaring from all of the stress? I sure hope not, is there anything at all that I can do for you? Is it possible that you and the cat could go stay someplace until your home is fixed to the point where you can put it back together? Try to get out of the house some this weekend, maybe it will make it easier to cope with the situation.

I'm sorry my friend wish they would have done it right the first time. They took all that time and still screwed it up. Hard to find good help these days. Hang in there and I'm here if you need me.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 9/28/2013 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Oh drat! I'm sorry - those kinds of situations are just very stressful. Go ahead and sob it out - you'll feel better. I have to say that my experience with painters is that fine sanding is just that. Not gonna get all the way down to all the old layers of paint - which usually requires stripping. And they "don't do windows". The glazing is very messy and it takes some effort to clean them free of the residue - which painters don't do, partially because it needs to set and harden for a bit, and also, you really wouldn't want them to charge you a painting rate for window cleaning. That said, I know exactly how you feel, as I've been there.

The upside is that the wall/ceilings are done so well!!!! That's what you're going to see every day and is most noticeable - at least for me. That's a woohoo! Hope you can get the crown mold/AC vent problem addressed quickly and easily. Hang in there - the mess is temporary and can be tackled in stages - half a room a day if need be - so you don't put yourself into a flare on top of it. Try to enjoy the progress and allow for the setbacks that will be resolved in time. I always know I'm moving too close to a flare when I get so exhausted I start crying. I know then it's time to stop trying to push through. Please be careful!

All this talk of painting and I found myself with new paint and brush in the bathroom today. So far, so good. Which means I like the color and I got all the cutting in done. DH will do the rolling, as my shoulder/arm strength is measly. I looked in the mirror at one point and realized my face was blazing - no doubt from standing on the step stool too close under the pot lights, which I think are halogen. This is making me rethink the new range hood with the halogen lighting. We put in LED pot lights on the kitchen ceiling - but thought I could manage a couple small halogens on the hood. Guess not. Always something!

I say ignore the mess, eat some chocolate, turn on an old black and white movie and have a little snooze!
Posted 9/28/2013 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
I am ignoring the mess, eating some candy corn, and reading a good novel!! So great minds do think alike!!

Unfortunately, the worst window, both before and after painting, is the window over my desk where I work all day. It's important! And I would gladly pay more for decent work.
Posted 9/28/2013 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I've glazed windows myself and they are a booger to do. That was pre-lupus days too.
Show the workmen what is happening and have them fix it.
Posted 10/3/2013 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Finally they came back and did some cleanup on the windows. Nothing more than an average job, but not worth hassling about anymore.

So at least I can start putting things back in place...dry wall dust, YUCK!
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