Warning: grumpy, sad post ahead. Enter at own risk.

I needed a pick me up in the depths of winter and these socks seemed to fit the bill. They are incredibly bright - the picture doesn't do them justice. They are known as my February socks because that's when they were started. Too bad it's 24C and humid today - no wool socks needed. But unfortunately February will come around again, and they will be well used.

I was on a month's trial for a pain killer called Prexige. It's like Celebrex, only newer. For the first time in years I could feel my fingers and had almost no pain in my elbows. Well my month came to an end two days ago and today I have the shooting pain and numbness back.

I can't stay on this drug because of the long term implications and the risk of heart damage - apparently it increases my risk of a heart attack by 80%. Since my mom died of one at 68 and her dad at 42, the odds aren't good.

I'm really upset because now that I know what it is like to be pain free, I realize just how much pain I was in (and am again). It wasn't until the absence of pain hit me before I realized how much I had just become used to it and accepted it as part of my every day life.

I've tried physio, chiro, massage, acupuncture and herbal remedies, but none worked as well as the medication. Advil/Tylenol don't touch it either. Ice/heat/standing on my head..nothing helps anymore. Any suggestions of things that have worked for others gratefully accepted.

They told me 20 years ago to get a job that doesn't use my hands..and what would that be? What do I do for a living? I'm a webmaster. What do I do in my spare time? I knit and spin (I have been "forbidden" to crochet by the doctor). I know I am my own worst enemy, but I can't quit my job, and won't quit my hobbies. The last time I did, I gained 20 lbs out of boredom.

Because of the crochet restriction, I am destashing my supplies. It just hurts too much (physically and mentally) to have them around. I have a few patterns on ebay, and am looking into another option - maybe just listing them here because the fees that ebay charges outweigh what the magazines are selling for.

I think we have to head to Halifax again  to take care of MIL at the end of the month. At least no worries about an ice storm this trip!