"Good Business"

It didn't start out very well.  I woke up in the middle of the night to Ron, having a blackout.  It sounded like he fell on the floor repeatedly, tried to get up, cursing fluently, angry, falling again.  This morning, I asked him if he remembered falling on the floor.  "No" he replied plainly "But I remember waking up on the floor". 

I was pretty upset I lost my sleep, everything I read about migraines says adequate sleep is really important in prevention.  And I had been sleeping so well, stretched out in bed next to Biscuit, dry mouth open to the world, kind of sleep. 

Can't cry over lost sleep, so I got up and took my shower.  My hair was kind of dry after yesterday's shower (I had to wash my hair, twice, with clarifying shampoo), so I used my 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner.  I didn't eat because I wasn't hungry and I don't believe in forcing food on myself if I can avoid it. 

I also had another headache, and I really didn't want my antidepressant in the mix, turning it into a migraine, on Truck Day.   Bad enough it was going to be in the 50's, and rain, I didn't want a headache. 

I decided I didn't want the headache to the extent I took an Excedrin to make SURE I got rid of it.  It worked, but added a lot of caffeine to my mix I probably didn't need.   I had resolved to get rid of the caffeine, and the aspartame, but it doesn't look like it will be an easy road. 

I was glad I had already bagged up a lot of candy last night, enough for everyone I would meet today.  I had it in my tote bag hanging on the back of Ron's wheelchair. 

I keep a poncho, umbrella, and a garbage bag to put over Ron (hey, he likes them!) in case it rains, the candy, my waterproof Bible, etc. 

We were meeting Jack at the Sam's Club.  He would be meeting us to take our merchandise to work.  I decided I would give Jack, our driver, some extra money.  If I didn't want to get up and work in the cold and rain, I'm sure he didn't. 

We went to the club and Ron made my list.  I got him a sample from the little desk by the front door and did "my" shopping.  Funny to think I am basically paid to shop one day a week.  I do a lot more than that, but still, I have to shop. 

I bought the water, the tea, the other drinks, and then moved onto my list.  I didn't think I got that much, but Jack commented I had a lot.  Snacks require a lot.  Like the other vendor said, you have, on average, 50 items in each machine.  Times two machines. 

I paid, found one of my favorite cashiers, and Jack was early.  He was happy to see his bonus, and I told him everytime the weather is lousy I will give him some extra money.  He liked it. 

Probably not "Good Business" but I have a harvest at the end of my life, and I want to hear God tell me I did a good job managing what I had.  The money made him a lot happier than it made me. 

And I got a nice bonus.  While looking for Driver Candy I found a special on the Reese's assorted individually wrapped for about half off.  I bought two bags, and some Now & Later. 

Personal shopping done -now I was done. 

Jack got the truck loaded to his satisfaction.  It wasn't as cold, or as rainy, as they had forecast but I didn't think that mattered - he was willing to come and help us, in the cold and rain.  It is rare to find someone like that regardless of whether you're paying them.  Especially important when you think he has a "real" full time job 60 hours a week on the other 5 days of the week, and is getting up early on one of his only days off to help us just because he likes us. 

It is really important to value good people in your life.  No one is perfect, but someone who is there when you need them is someone important. 

Of course I am going to try to give back. 

We got to work, unloaded.  Sales were pretty slow so I mainly helped Ron.  What I need to do can wait until Monday.  It was pretty uneventful except the custodians found my jar of Now and Laters and wanted to "buy" some.  I told them I am giving them away with "Jesus booklets" and they were welcome to just grab some out of the jar.  They can make my life better (by cleaning well, in front of the machines) or make it hell (by not cleaning, or cleaning while we are working).  So they're on my list of important people too.  Besides, they are good sports looking at my cat photos and hearing my stories. 

We got it all done and left.  Our ride home was already there.  We picked up a blind couple at a truly horrible apartment complex not far from work.  If I were a blind woman no way would I live there.  But maybe that's the best "housing" could do for them.  A lot of the clients are on Section 8, basically "free" housing, but nearly always in a truly awful neighborhood.  Pretty high price to pay. 

Ron and I never had any benefits of that sort, unless you except my aunt paying my rent for a couple of months after Ron's accident.  She's a good lady. 

We took them to the truly awful mall, and then he was going to pick up someone else, but he decided to take us home instead.  As he drove, he ate half the candy I'd given him, throwing the wrappers out the window.  How am I going to feel one day, when my Jesus candy gets a driver a littering ticket?  Not sure.  I didn't say anything. 

We got home, my bag, on the back of the wheelchair, was ripped on one side.  I'm not sure what happened but the bag was cotton, and 20 years old.  I guess it was just it's time to go.  I didn't pitch a fit - it wouldn't have done any good and I don't want a diva reputation.  Bad enough being bipolar.  I don't have to "act" like it. 

I plan to get a waterproof case for my important papers anyway, I can use that backpack on the back of the wheelchair instead.  Not a big deal. 

Ron had asked for Atkins shakes.  I was proud of him for thinking about his diet.  Normally he eats out of boxes, cans, and restaurants.  Part of that is "my" fault, being such a "bad" wife I "can't" cook for him, what with the brain damage and serious medication I am taking for also being crazy.  That's how some would look at it.  I do my best; he knows that, we're cool. 

So I got him the shakes.  I put one in the fridge for him and he can try it later.  It's the vanilla.  I always liked the low carb vanilla shakes, regardless of brand, but they always gave me a horrible headache the next day. 

Once I got the stuff put up, I ate a couple of frozen burritos warmed up.  I found half a TV dinner decaying in the microwave.  Apparently Ron heated it up during a blackout, ate half of it, put it back, and forgot about it.  Yuck.  Got rid of that right quick.  Ugh. 

My burritos were good, and, more importantly, the medication likes them.  I never have gastric issues when I take the pills with a couple of these burritos.  They're the "El Monterrey" ones, in the green package.  I drank a tall glass of milk with them because I can use the protein. 

I took a nap.  Biscuit joined me in bed, and I slept great.  I didn't have nightmares and I got a really good quality nap.  So important!  I was really happy when I got up. 

I almost blew my head off when I took my computer off sleep and turned on my music.  For some reason, the volume knob was way up and the noise was fantastic.  I hurried up and turned it down.  Ron was already awake, thank God, so I didn't have to worry about waking him up.  Good. 

He told me he drank 3 servings of alcohol last night, which probably (read: did) cause his blackout.  Obviously 2 is his limit.  We've had this talk before but he feels that 2 "doesn't do anything" and he "needs" 3 to get a "good buzz".  That's what the heroin addicts think when they're overdosing. 

I didn't tell him that.  Jack had a cold so I need to go supplement. 

I am finally feeling well enough to take my Olive Leaf and Oregano oil.  They are both really good antivirals for me and I am a big fan of taking them when something's lurking, or I have been around a sick person. 

My whole GI tract is still out of whack.  2 days of vomiting and then 4 total days of not eating at all will take a toll.  I'm having some symptoms I won't talk about - no one wants to hear about them.  But I will be glad when they resolve. 

Anyway, I'm going to run for now.  Tonight, my only goal is to get started on some laundry and call my Dad around 4 his time (that's his preferred time for me to call).