On Monday past, here in Canada, we had a federal election. End result was we are now $600 million more in debt & the government changed by about 3 seats. We still have a liberal minority.
Directional sign by Elections Canada signifying our poll station.
But I’m mentioning this because I work the elections. It’s a long day but it’s actually kind of fun and here in Canada we get paid for it..
I did a training several days before & I get paid for that.. On the day of, polls are open from 9:30 to 9:30. We were required from 8:30am to whenever we got all the electors in.. Fortunately, our location was dead after 8pm. Other locations had people lined up around the block at 9:30pm when the polls closed (If they were in line before 9:30, they still got to vote. )
So there was a couple things that I did to manage.. I changed jobs so I wasn’t always standing or always sitting. Because our station was not very busy I was able to walk around quite a bit when I needed to move. I took my lunch outside and the same with my dinner, enjoying the lovely weather. I had my regular meds plus additional other meds in case pain levels went up. I did yoga – no not getting down on my hands and knees on a mat and doing stretching poses, but I can listen my back up, rolling forward & back similar to cat and cow, just in a chair. Last time, one lady actually stood up & did some full blown yoga poses!
So, basically I kept moving & kept lightly drugged the whole day.. But it works for me!
Last Saturday was moving day. No, not me. I’m staying put. My best friend, however, has to relocate into the city for her new job.
For the last 3 weeks I have been going over to her place every other day to help her pack. The woman has *way* too much stuff, IMO. Since I’ve helped her move her household countless times over the 30+ years we’ve been friends, I would know.
Boxes,and boxes, and boxes, Oh My!
Why every other day? I am not taking the risk of going into a flare & not being able to help at all. Am I packing heavy stuff? You betcha! Am I moving it? Only when necessary & if it is light enough that I can safely lift. But some things, no way. Vinyl? No way! CDs? Nuh-uh! Paperbacks? Yes, cuz they’re in small liquor boxes. Hard covers? Not a chance. Collectables? With my flakey shoulder, I’m not taking the risk of dropping anything, so unless it not heavy & not far then sure, but otherwise, not happening. Movies? Nope cuz they are packed in a fairly big box. Linens? Depends on if it’s the big box or the small ones! Kitchen stuffs? Again depends on the weight. Decor? Nothing big, nothing heavy.. Furniture? Not in this lifetime, unless it’s like a TV tray or something equally light in weight.
Physically making the boxes, filling them,then sealing them up & moving them to start the next box, even if it’s super light, is quite the challenge. It helps that her & I do it together. She grabs the item off the shelf or out of the drawer & hands it to me, and I pack it to the box. So neither of us is doing all the actiins. Then we switch. It makes for fast work, while not completely stressing out our bodies. (BFF also has fibro). And that has been working awesomely!
Pain still happens though. Thankfully a bad day, not a flare.
Sunday & Monday were a small crash, but may or may not have to do with packing cuz I was also exercising on Friday & Saturday.. this is the first & only time I’ve skipped helping due to pain. Given that I’d been helping pack now for 2 weeks, every other day, I think I was doing really well. But it’s not a flare, thank God, just a bad two days..
Did I unpacking anything? Only immediate necessities on Saturday. I usually start with the bed. Get that set up & made, so they have somewhere to sleep on Saturday night instead of under a pile or boxes. I rarely get past that point. But I know it’s greatly appreciated. This time because her daughter’s could not help due to covid, I started on her kitchen… Actually got most of her dishes, dish ware, glasses, cutlery & utensil unpacked.. So her kitchen, minus her food was pretty much unpacked by the time we stopped.
Let’s avoid crashing under a pile of boxes.
So, afterwards, I was home most of Sunday recuperating.. Went out for dinner with another friend that night, as we were going back into lockdown the next day.
Monday & Tuesday were additional days of rest. & I was grateful that my cub meetings, despite me leading the main activity, were virtual – made bird houses! But by Wednesday I was feeling like my normal self.. Yay!!
Anyone concerned about my risk of exposure to COVID, please read my previous post “Upcoming Move – Keeping Safe”
For the last 2½ weeks I have been going over to her place every other day to help her pack.
I know there will be those concerned about the risk of getting exposed to COVID. Yes, they are moving to the city, Toronto, Canada’s biggest hotspot but we are being as careful as possible.
To minimize any risk to my parents, I’ve isolated from them while I’m helping pack & move.
I am only in one circle at a time.
My bff & her hubby are now my bubble. No, I don’t wear a mask at her place, but they are the only people who I do that with. His job had been modified so that he interacts basically with no one while he does his pickups, not at his work & not with the clients. She currently works from home, but that will shift slightly after her move. In the grand scheme of things, they are low risk of being exposed. Because of running errands & my cub scouts, I’m at a higher risk of exposure than she is as she is only leaving her place to transport items to her new home, a house.
Because I’m only me & Lilly in my immediate household, it is recommended, for my mental health, that I extend my bubble. Helping my BFF & getting to spend some quality time is also good for my mental health & wellbeing.
Immediately after the move I will isolate for 2 weeks, no bubble whatsoever before returning to my parents’ bubble. I will not be helping my bff unpack as my Mom is not comfortable with that.
On the day of, masks. Every single person *must* have a mask before entering any premises. Hands must also be either sanitized before entering, or washed properly immediately upon entering. Signs will be up to help the movers go directly to the room they need to go to, making things more efficient & less wandering. I’m sure I’ll have a Lysol or Clorox sanitizing cloth at all times to wipe stuff down as the movers come and go.
This is the best way to keep everyone safe and at a comfortable level and allows me to help her out.
More info on the move & it’s impact on my Fibro coming shortly.
Fibromyalgia 
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