Exhaustion

Yesterday our household played host to, not only a kids girly birthday party but also the added bonus of a girly sleepover. I am soooo exhausted now.

It was a typical tweens party; There was sugar, sugar and more sugar. There was party pies and sausage rolls, chocolate, more chocolate, chips, buscuits, pizza and more, you guessed it - sugar! Dip with cheese and carrot sticks was the concession to some sort of normality.

There was much squeeing, squealing, gossiping and giggling. Who would have guessed that pass the parcel still elicits excited jumping up and down of nearly teenagers? Go figure. Of course, what sleepover is complete without movies, painting of the fingernails, temporary tattoos and ...

more sugar! (and popcorn).

Finally they sleep! Thank goodness. So now I can get some too.

...

but I didn't get much. Between the 'She's not gone to sleep yet." and the cat having another hissing fit, I got very little sleep. Do cats have nightmares? I wonder. She is still our friend and wants hugs and patting but will not go near one side of the bed (where the hysterics all began). I had to sleep in an awkward position, last night (and am paying for it with back and shoulder pain today) but when I tried to move the cat near that side of the bed, off she went again. She looked terrified! Poor thing. Poor me. I am a walking zombie today. 

I am not expecting much improvement to the day; we are off to a memorial later today. Hence I don't see myself doing much writing today. 

My long weekend can only improve tomorrow. I hope.

Hope you all have a good day. 

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Rattle, Shake and Roll

Today I am rattled. I am dealing with stress again. I am about to return to part-time work, in my other professional guise, after months off. All of my relaxation techniques are being utilized today as I have a meeting with the Powers that Be. I tried to start writing my post last night but could not concentrate; I tried to do some sketching but my hand is shaking so the curves look shite.  

I spent yesterday doing some fact research for a speculative fiction story. I have to see if I can pull out some specific historical happenings to fit in with an alternative history I have planned for a major historical figure. This follows on from some ideas that I jotted down, a few weeks back; a good thing coming out of a bad night's sleep. I was originally going to set the story in his timeline but am thinking I may move him forward and see what happens and how it would effect him (and history) when he returns. I am on a roll! I now have 9 pages of notes, just on the original historical path, and more on some plot ideas that I would dearly love to be able to fit into the puzzle.

I am planning on some endorphine-producing hard work digging in the garden after my meeting, this morning. To my surprise, over summer, about six french lavender seedlings have self-seeded themselves in the garden. I made the mistake of digging three of them out, too early in summer. They died. But then, we did have a record hot, dry summer this year. I have been biding my time, to transplant the other three. They should be tough enough; they have survived summer with minimal care. Currently, the upcoming weather report is looking reasonably mild with possible maximums to only the high twenties (Celcius). It is looking a lot safer to dig them out. So, today I will be shovelling shit (and compost) into their new homes, in preparation for their move. Quite an appropriate metaphor, really.

I have previously mentioned that my garden relaxes me. The lavender seedlings are a reminder that, no matter how bad things are, some things can survive. My grandmother used to say 'What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."  The woman was a font of knowledge! I too, can survive this chapter in my life and go on to rewrite the story.

And now for some gratuitous pics I have taken, of my husband who stands by me in my creative moods:

Suffering

Did you ever have one of those days where you feel like you are enveloped in thick atmosphere, like walking through cotton wool? It dulls the senses, makes movements slow and difficult, restricts the breathing and makes it difficult to hear. It begins with vertigo; its nauseating waves washing over, the head floating off to one side with my body following, soon after. Could someone please stop the world from spinning?

The skull is pounding, while at the same time sharp, piercing hot pokers are being pushed slowly, but deliberately, though the temples so that the ends just touch the brain. Irritating beyond belief. I want to scream but can't make a sound. The eyelids are heavy, the eyes stinging - both dry and tearing at the same time. Nothing makes sense, the world is muffled and it is hard to think clearly.  Making it even worse, is the clogged sinuses and itchy eyes from a dust allergy. The throat feels tight and glands swollen... but the bookshelves are now ordered in alphabetical fashion. 

Yesterday was one of those days. I am reminded of a classic line from an old Science Fiction favourite of mine (BBC's Blake's 7, circa early 1980s). "Have you considered amputation?". Well, in this case - yes, I have! Maximum amounts of aspirin and antihistamines were no joy. Copious amounts of caffeine gave no relief. There was no energy left for even a flicker of a smile when confronted with what would normally illicit a belly laugh.

Doodling helped. Maybe a ferocious monster to embody my pain? Well, no.. I couldn't even manage that! A toothless, ancient and eccentric Uncle looking dragon was the best i could manage. Is pretty how much I have felt all weekend, actually. Not big on this suffering for art caper.

What shall I do with the little fella???

Any ideas?