How an RSDer Decorates a Christmas Tree
1. Set up tree in middle of room. (Don’t bother with a tree stand, just kick a few cinderblocks against the trunk.)
2. Get out christmas lights, and attach one end to top of tree.
3. Attach other end of lights to cat, dog, or small child.
4. Make loud, scary noise.
5. Untether animal and plug in lights.
If desired, repeat steps 2-5 for popcorn garlands, and those weird frilly-tinsel-snake-things.
6. Get modified nerf gun.
7. Attach double sided tape to baubles
8. Load baubles into gun, and fire at will. To make this more fun, here’s a handy scoring guide:
(If you don’t have a nerf gun, just fling the baubles at the tree.)
9. Get out tree-topper (star, etc.), and attach a string to it.
10. Try to throw it into place. If you miss, use string to reel it in and try again.
11. Admire your work in all its glory.
15 responses to “How an RSDer Decorates a Christmas Tree”
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RSDiary 
Once again AWESOME! My husband LOVES your stuff and so do ALL I have shared you with! Again we need to be able to laugh at the worst of some of lifes situations, not really because they are funny-just to cut the tension!
This is great stuff! I am an RSD Angel as well. I am an artist also and this comic setting is amazing to share awareness! Making people think and laugh at the same time! Genius! I am the founder of RSD/CRPS Doesn’t Own Me online and facebook. I just wanted you to know, Thank You for all your hard work, and don’t give up.
I’m an RSD Angel as well, and I love your blog. Keep your head up and please continue posting.
Emilie
Love it! Especially the Nerf gun……….My son-in-law name is Will. so looking forward to that part!! lol
If you hit him, remember to look shocked and/or dismayed (“Oops, arm spasm!”) 🙂
Hilarious!!!! Read it to my mom and my sister who has Fibromyalgia and they laughed their arses off!! Thank you!!! Happy Holidays XO
This is so true ! With CRPS, the tree was bought on December the 3rd. When a person has CRPS, like I do, it took 15 days to decorate a 5 foot tree. I kept on saying, “hey I have till December 24th to try to get it done”. Happy Holidays!
Yup, for big projects our time setting seems to switch over to elephant years. Actually, it’s probably more like tortoise time when prickly things are involved.
I have a 3ft tree with the lights already on it. And THIS RSD’er left the tree in the bos, ornaments in the bag from last year with the garland! That’s the easiest way I know how to do it! Makes after Christmas clean up a snap too!
That’s smart thinking.
***+50 million bonus points for not having to untangle lights***
I have fibromyalgia plus 7 other chronic medical conditions and I haven’t even managed to look at my Christmas tree; it remains in it’s box in my laundry, but maybe if I employed these tactics, I might get a decoration or two up! Now how to lure a stray dog to full fill the “pet” part of the deal…
Fair warning – getting a post-decorating stray dog out of your house by using a dog of the opposite colour doesn’t work. 🙂
I know that this is off of the subject of decorating the tree, but i could really use anyone’s advice or input. I am fairly new to this RSD thing. I was diagnosed in April of this year after I fractured my right ankle. To give a very quick summary of my wonderful situation, I no longer have any insurance coverage to continue seeing my doctors. I am currently out of work at this time due to having RSD. So in a nut shell, I have no income at this time, no insurance which means no doctors. Its either pay my rent, utilities, and groceries or see a doctor. Now as I am dealing with this massive burning sensation in my right leg along with the rest of the symptoms I have began to lose hope in getting better.In September, I was getting ready for a spinal cord stimulator trial. I started to see a light at the end of the tunnel then. Though on October 12, 2011, all of my insurance benefits ended. So what can I do now? The light at the end of the tunnel that I once saw, is now forever gone. I would greatly appreciate any advice or support that you might be able to help me get through this.
Thank You All…
Hi Chris,
I know we all hate to hear this, but one of the main things to remember is to keep moving to help prevent it from getting worse or spreading. (I learned this the hard way – my RSD spread, both, to my other arm, and later to my legs after periods of little physical activity.) Honestly, it will hurt like *#@! at first, but it will gradually get better if you stick with it, and at the very least it will keep your muscles from atrophying. The important thing to remember is to keep it up so you don’t slip back.
Additionally, I’ve found that certain foods can help or worsen the pain, though this may differ from person to person depending on your body chemistry. In respect to “bad” foods, I’ve found that potatoes (there have been studies that show that many nightshade family plants can cause inflammation, pain in certain types of people) and sugar tend to make my pain a bit worse.
On the plus side, I’ve found drinking plain TART cherry juice helps to take the edge off the pain, and has actually helped me sleep a little better if enjoyed a bit before bed.
You might consider keeping a food diary (meal ingredients included) and record your pain levels on those days so you can see if certain types of food exacerbate or help your pain.
Also, you might want to make sure your body is getting enough vitamin b (especially b12), as it helps support overall nerve health.
If you have some free time, you might want to read through some of these stories (lots of these folks have improved by keeping active):
http://www.rsds.org/storiesofhope.html
And here’s a good list of sites that may be helpful to you:
http://www.rsds.org/Resources/relatedsites.html
Also, in case you don’t already embrace the way of the coupon – meet your new best friend:
http://www.coupons.com/
Most product sites also offer product coupons via email. Remember, manufacturer coupons can be combined with store coupons – you’d be amazed at how much you can save (and how fast you will begin gloating to people about it 😀 ).
I hope this helps.
for Chris Chodkowski if you use facebook there is a group called Here to Help RSD join it-you will get MUCH help, and there is also a website called hopeoverpain.org and its fantastic.