. . . The tough get going. Or so the saying goes.
Since Russ will probably lose his job as soon as he recovers enough to return from his recent back pain exacerbation, we have had to make plans. We both realise the day is fast approaching when I'm going to be the breadwinner - and having to support myself, Russ, and my mother, along with paying the mortgage and all the other bills, is weighing heavily on my mind.
So I made the decision over the weekend to increase my hours of work. As of today, I'm working from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. That's 9 straight hours of typing each day - apart from the occasional bathroom break - remembering that I don't take lunch and/or tea breaks. At this stage, I don't even know if I'm going to earn enough to cover everything, but, I have to do something.
My shift for the day has just finished, and I have to admit, I'm exhausted. Although it's only 2 hours' extra per day, I'm feeling it in every fibre of my being. It's probably complicated by the fact that for the past 3 days I've been feeling like I'm coming down with the flu. And speaking of that, I'm starting to think it may actually be something a little more than the flu. As I was sitting here this morning (typing away in my job) in my turtleneck sweater (winter is just around the corner 'down under') I noticed I was absent-mindedly pulling at the sweater on the left side, due to a slight irritation on my neck. I didn't think much about it until I had a bathroom break and looked in the mirror to find that I have a little red rash on my neck. As soon as I saw it, I realised what I *could* be dealing with - shingles.
I had shingles back in 2001, just after Russ & I returned from the US. At the time, as you may remember if you're a regular reader of my blog, Russ & I had arrived in the US on the morning of 9/11, and then found out the next day that he was out of a job due to Ansett Australia going bankrupt. Funnily enough, although I was obviously a little stressed about our situation at that time, I don't remember feeling totally overwhelmed. For those who have no idea about shingles - here's a little explanation. It's basically the chickenpox virus that sits dormant in your spinal cord - until something sets it off. So, if you've ever had chickenpox (and let's face it, most of us suffer this condition in our childhood), the chance is there that one day you may develop shingles. Experts aren't really sure what that "something" is - although it's more prevalent in the elderly, those with a weakened immune system, and/or those under stress.
In 2001, I ended up with it in my ophthalmic nerve on the right side. Luckily Russ persuaded me to go to the doctor back then *before* it really took hold (I wasn't going to go, thinking it was "just a small rash"), so I was able to get my hands on the antiviral medication, and after taking that and seeing an ophthalmologist, I was given the all clear within a week or two. This time I don't know if it *is* shingles, but I'm going to keep an eye on the rash, and if it spreads in the next 24 hours, I'll be going to see the doctor.
So, if I do have shingles again, the stress of the past few days has more than likely set it off. It can quite often start off with flu-like symptoms (which is what I've had), and within a few days of that, the rash appears - again, that's what seems to have happened. Oh well, at the moment it's just a few tiny sore red lumps and may have nothing to do with my other symptoms, but I'll just see how it goes.
Anyway, what about beads? Well, quite obviously, I don't have anything new to offer you. As I haven't been well the past few days, I haven't been near the studio. Unfortunately, I can't even give an estimate as to when I *may* be in there. After working for 45 straight hours a week, I can't imagine I'm going to want to work on weekends either, although I will try my best in the next few weeks to attempt melting glass. But, if not, well.. I have to say I have much more important things I need to deal with at the moment than making beads. Once upon a time I could rely on the sales of my beads to keep the money rolling in, alas, those days seem to be over. I now need to concentrate all my efforts to what *is* making me money - hopefully, we will get back on our feet in the not too distant future.
I'll keep you posted.
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