So the lemon bars I made for the work party came out AMAZING. Like, picture perfect. Naturally, I used the recipe in the Martha Stewart cookbook: Pate sucree for the crust, and Lemon curd filling. It was twice as complicated as any other lemon bars I have made, but well worth it. The curd was the absolute perfect consistency, texture, and flavor, and the crust was the perfect color and didn’t even begin to stick to the dish. I want to make it again! Someone have a party. I can’t eat a whole plate of these myself.
Two utensils to thank in my lemon bar project: the Microplane grater that makes perfect lemon zest. And the big wire strainer that dusted and sifted the powdered sugar just like snow, AND strained all the egg yolks, too.
My low back has been hurting like hell this week. For one reason only: my job. Stand up: the pain slowly ebbs away. Sit in office chair (even $700 office chair): the pain returns and grinds on my bulging disk. No matter my posture or position. It has gotten to the point where I have almost accepted that there is no way I will be able to take medical leave over this, because I’m not broken “enough.” Fuckers. Sigh.
Anyway I went swimming today, only the second time this week. Fifteen laps. I timed my 8th lap: 50 meters in one minute 15 seconds. Pretty good I think.
Tons of stuff to do this weekend. Send holiday cards, send parental xmas gifts, and possibly make baked goods to send to friends. Not so sure on that last one, but hell, I have been doing so much baking lately I should be warmed up by now.
Trader Joe’s last night was fun, but as with every other time I have ever been there, at any time of day or night, it was completely packed. Those guys need to either (a) go to a 24-hour model, or (b) renovate their stores to allow for more people. Or both. Or just open a couple more stores in the city. I nominate something in the Inner Sunset area.
We aren’t getting a christmas tree, but I did get a wreath. It has pinecones and oregon grapes (poisonous!) on it. At least that’s what they looked like. I hung it on the front door, inside, and bought it mainly for the scent.
Jane, sorry you’re hurting, bunny. About this:
> I have almost accepted that there is no way I will be able to take medical leave over this, because I’m not broken “enough.”
I BELIEVE if you are unable to do your job, which is exactly what that description of your physical state sounds like, you’re disabled.
They are just about to start me (next week) on this huge giant project which will change our entire department and the way we work and the website and I get to be the lead on it. Great timing, huh? Fuck.
The day I quit will be exilhirating.
There is probably never a good time to go on disability. That’s just how it is. You do a good job, and it’s not shirking to take time off to take care of yourself. The company will survive. My only point was that it sounds like you have what’s required to take disability (inability to work) – but whatever you choose to do, I hope you feel some relief soon.
I think I just need to double my pilates efforts. My goal, regardless of work or not, should be making my back much stronger than it is, and making sure there is good circulation so the disc can heal.
I should probably start acupuncture again too, now that I have a concrete diagnosis and a definite point the doctor can stick the needles into. When I was doig it before I couldn’t tell him anything except “my hip hurts.”
i apologize if you’ve already thought of or tried this, but could you stand up at work? i have two coworkers with back problems who have special desks that move up and down so they can work standing or sitting. they also have these little flexible stools as an alternative to the aeron chairs. i can find out the name of the desks & stools if you want – you shouldn’t have to be in pain at work (or any other time)!
Yeah, I tried the standing work station. That made my back hurt too, and my feet hurt. I have also tried the kneeling chair, stools, etc.
I think the answer for me is swimming, pilates, and acupuncture — and not working would obviously help, too. You know, not sitting in a chair every day for 8 hours for the rest of my life. That would be nice.
My boss is a big guilt tripper, it’s fucking annoying. I would definitely have to go over her head. But first I would need approval from my doctor and so far any suggestion of medical leave has been met with resistance from her. Wah.
aw jane, i’m sorry. i have a chronic condition that makes work hard for me, too, but i haven’t yet figured out an alternative… my work tries to be very understanding, but only so long as i’m getting my job done it seems. i love acupuncture, though – hope it works for you.