@Rusty ***********
you could use the two free visa exempt entries you are allowed by land in a calendar year (and the 30 day extensions each of those entries would give you) that'd buy you some time.
You would most likely have to use a service to bounce you out and back for those visa exempt entries given your lengthy entry/stay history but it's doable
Right now the visa exempt entry program is 45 days and you could extend that by 30 giving you 75 before you'd have to bounce out and back again.
It seems that both Vientiane and Savannakhet have tightened up their tourist issuing policies and if they see a pile of covid extensions they're gonna turn you away, and I'd consult with a visa run company about your entry/stay history before you use one to take you to a consulate to apply