Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Getting old
Well, that's a topic I'm familiar with. I remember when I was growing up and beginning to really notice things that people did, it seemed to me that old people did some things (by old people, I mean the ones with gray hair) I thought were strange or common or just plain weird. And now that I've gotten to that stage of my life, I understand why these actions are necessary.
Item 1: The finger in the ear. Did you know that as you age your ear fluffs off more wax than when you are younger. This can be bothersome and very itchy. I know because, as my doctor tells me, I have eczema of the ear. Who knew? I never heard of that before, but the itching in my ear is very annoying and I just have to scratch. I try to do that as privately as I can, but it's not always possible.
Item 2: Grunting. Almost all elderly people grunt. They grunt when they turn over in bed, they grunt when they get out of a chair, they grunt when they walk, they grunt when they eat. The elderly are just a bunch of grunters. Well, youngsters, if you had the aches and pains we oldsters endure, you'd grunt, too. I hear that some almost-40-somethings, are having a more difficult time getting up in the morning and making that first run to you know where, and there is a lot of grunting going on, on that trek. Just sayin'.
Item 3: Hand wringing. A lot of us old folks are constantly wringing our hands. I call it hand rubbing. We are really just rubbing the joints in our hands trying to keep them limber so that when we have to use them, they function.
Item 4: The cough. I know you all have notice this. The ah-hem, or the plain out-and-out upchucking type of cough you see and laugh at on TV. Well, a lot of us take blood pressure medicine which can as a side effect cause a tickle in the throat. Some of us can just get by with an ah-hem type of cough; others actually dry cough, which is annoying if you're talking on the phone and every five seconds, the elderly person is coughing in your ear, and some of us never learned how to be discreet when we cough and just plain upchuck as loud as we can. That would be mostly the male population, by the way.
Item 5: The walk. Or should I say the shuffle. My brother has always hated it when someone shuffles their feet, and at 62, he still walks like a man and doesn't have to shuffle his feet. You may recall Tim Conway's comedic portrayal of the old man, and his walk. Well, while it was funny when we were younger, now that we're walking like that, it isn't funny any more. My dear husband can do a perfect Tim Conway -- not by choice, but because he's deteriorated to that level of a walk, as have I.
Item 6: The nose blowers and the dirty hankies. How I wish I could get my husband to use a tissue instead of a handkerchief. Yuck. The nose blowers, again, are mostly male. We females are a little more inhibited when it comes to nose-blowing in public or anywhere else. We sort of just wipe, and rarely blow, unless we have a cold. Seems like some men I know either always have a cold, or find comfort in carrying around a wet rag in their pocket.
Item 7: The hand cupped over the outer part of the ear, pulling the ear forward as if to cup the sound. Let me just say, it doesn't work, but some people think it does. Again, mostly men. I personally find this annoying still, as I did when my father did it. That little action didn't seem to help him hear me any better than if he wasn't raising his hand to his ear and, well, you know.
And now, all joking aside, there's always a serious note, isn't there?
Item 8: The God thing. As I get older I find fewer and fewer elderly people who don't believe in God, and who don't believe in an after-life. Maybe it's just the people I've surrounded myself with, but I don't think so. We all went through the "love fest" in the 60s, and we all ended up with a belief that soon we will be either dead and that's it, or we'll be enjoying being with our Lord in Heaven.
I read an interesting book yesterday and it talks about getting older, and going through the last stages of life, and there are when we face terminal illness several ways we actually get better and don't die -- YET. There are five stages of healing: Attitude -- our attitude toward disease can be a healing balm or not; immune system -- our immune system is fearfully and wonderfully made, and it can kick in at the oddest times, even at death's door; medical science -- God has given men and women the ability to design new drugs, new treatments, etc., and medical science can be a seque to our physical healing; a true miracle of God -- a healing for which there is no other explanation, except that "God did it!"; and last, the final healing -- when we leave this earth and rest in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Oh what a day that will be!
Item 1: The finger in the ear. Did you know that as you age your ear fluffs off more wax than when you are younger. This can be bothersome and very itchy. I know because, as my doctor tells me, I have eczema of the ear. Who knew? I never heard of that before, but the itching in my ear is very annoying and I just have to scratch. I try to do that as privately as I can, but it's not always possible.
Item 2: Grunting. Almost all elderly people grunt. They grunt when they turn over in bed, they grunt when they get out of a chair, they grunt when they walk, they grunt when they eat. The elderly are just a bunch of grunters. Well, youngsters, if you had the aches and pains we oldsters endure, you'd grunt, too. I hear that some almost-40-somethings, are having a more difficult time getting up in the morning and making that first run to you know where, and there is a lot of grunting going on, on that trek. Just sayin'.
Item 3: Hand wringing. A lot of us old folks are constantly wringing our hands. I call it hand rubbing. We are really just rubbing the joints in our hands trying to keep them limber so that when we have to use them, they function.
Item 4: The cough. I know you all have notice this. The ah-hem, or the plain out-and-out upchucking type of cough you see and laugh at on TV. Well, a lot of us take blood pressure medicine which can as a side effect cause a tickle in the throat. Some of us can just get by with an ah-hem type of cough; others actually dry cough, which is annoying if you're talking on the phone and every five seconds, the elderly person is coughing in your ear, and some of us never learned how to be discreet when we cough and just plain upchuck as loud as we can. That would be mostly the male population, by the way.
Item 5: The walk. Or should I say the shuffle. My brother has always hated it when someone shuffles their feet, and at 62, he still walks like a man and doesn't have to shuffle his feet. You may recall Tim Conway's comedic portrayal of the old man, and his walk. Well, while it was funny when we were younger, now that we're walking like that, it isn't funny any more. My dear husband can do a perfect Tim Conway -- not by choice, but because he's deteriorated to that level of a walk, as have I.
Item 6: The nose blowers and the dirty hankies. How I wish I could get my husband to use a tissue instead of a handkerchief. Yuck. The nose blowers, again, are mostly male. We females are a little more inhibited when it comes to nose-blowing in public or anywhere else. We sort of just wipe, and rarely blow, unless we have a cold. Seems like some men I know either always have a cold, or find comfort in carrying around a wet rag in their pocket.
Item 7: The hand cupped over the outer part of the ear, pulling the ear forward as if to cup the sound. Let me just say, it doesn't work, but some people think it does. Again, mostly men. I personally find this annoying still, as I did when my father did it. That little action didn't seem to help him hear me any better than if he wasn't raising his hand to his ear and, well, you know.
And now, all joking aside, there's always a serious note, isn't there?
Item 8: The God thing. As I get older I find fewer and fewer elderly people who don't believe in God, and who don't believe in an after-life. Maybe it's just the people I've surrounded myself with, but I don't think so. We all went through the "love fest" in the 60s, and we all ended up with a belief that soon we will be either dead and that's it, or we'll be enjoying being with our Lord in Heaven.
I read an interesting book yesterday and it talks about getting older, and going through the last stages of life, and there are when we face terminal illness several ways we actually get better and don't die -- YET. There are five stages of healing: Attitude -- our attitude toward disease can be a healing balm or not; immune system -- our immune system is fearfully and wonderfully made, and it can kick in at the oddest times, even at death's door; medical science -- God has given men and women the ability to design new drugs, new treatments, etc., and medical science can be a seque to our physical healing; a true miracle of God -- a healing for which there is no other explanation, except that "God did it!"; and last, the final healing -- when we leave this earth and rest in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Oh what a day that will be!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Do you see what I see?
These are pictures of some of the interior of my condo. The bottom tree is what I fondly call my "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree." It's six feet tall, straggly, and has very little greenery on it, but I love it. It's mostly decorations, it's loaded with them. And the best thing about it, is that it's a pop-up tree, pre-lit, so I only have to "open the umbrella" each year and put the various decorations on it.
The tree next to the bottom one is the tree which is in my office and faces the street. It, too, is a six footer, pre-lit, umbrella. A little fuller than the Charlie Brown one.
The piano is lit under the angel hair and covered with little angels, which were mostly my mother's collection. I'm not an angel collector, but sometimes people give me angels and they get put on the piano. That's where my mom always put them surrounded with greens and when the little lights became available, she'd put a string of the little lights under the greens so they'd show through and hide the wires.
And then, there is a view of about 1/4 of my snowmen. I'm up to 131 now, not including those that are hung on the various trees. Most of the collection is in the sunroom.
I didn't take a picture of the three, three-foot trees. I'm bummed about them. I changed all the light strings last year, and this year only one tree is lit. I suppose they are now making lights to only last one year and then they break. I have a green garland which has lights running through it, it's over 10 years old, and the lights are still working on it. So, I know they can do it -- make lights that last more than a year. My tall glass jar filled with Christmas balls and lights also has a light string in it that is at least 5 years old.
I didn't buy any new lights this year. I have plenty in the storage room under the stairs. Just too lazy to get them out at this late date. Maybe next year.
TTFN
A White Christmas?
Well, they're predicting one, anyway. I'll believe that when I see it. Before we get to Christmas, though, we have to go through snow flurries (today), snow (tomorrow), sleet/freezing rain/rain/snow (Tuesday and Wednesday), then more snow on Friday night into Saturday. That's the latest weather prognostication. Guess. Wish on the part of the weather channel?
So, I'm looking forward to that. Alan and I will be alone on both Christmas Eve and Christmas. I'm going to make a capon for dinner on Christmas day. I remember my mother making capon on several occasions. I could never tell the difference between that and chicken. I realize that capon is a male chicken (rooster, unroostered), so I shall roast it the same way I would chicken. I recall growing up and enjoying capon because we got a bigger portion of "chicken" than normal. One chicken split six ways doesn't give the eater much meat. But capon...that's different because the bird tends to be much larger.
Of course, with just Alan and me eating the bird on Saturday, I'll have plenty left over for salad and soup. I was unable to get a duck, which is our normal fare on Christmas day.
Used to be, when the children were growing up, I'd splurge and get a standing rib roast for Christmas day. Just a couple of ribs. Well, I sent my shopper to get a four-rib roast. It weighed almost 10 pounds! And cost -- well, you can imagine what it cost. I cut it in half and we'll get two guest meals out of it. And since Dan (my grandson) will be visiting me on New Year's weekend, and he loves beef, I'll be able to use up the large of the two halves. You see, while I cut it into two ribs each, one side had more meat on it than the other, so one of the resulting roasts is larger than the other. Have no fear, Dan will eat it all up. I know that from past experience. He just loves roast beef or steak. And he especially likes the way I cook it.
I'm almost finished wrapping gifts. Just a few grandchildren prizes to wrap and I'm finished, I think. Than I can clean up "Christmas central" and get my newly organized office back in order.
Did I get Christmas cards addressed? NO! I did not. I only got 13 cards addressed and stamped and they are ready to be put into the mail box. 13 cards -- one for each grandchild. I hope they like them.
So, since I didn't address any cards, if you're reading this, you know you won't be getting a card from me this year. And it's a shame. I bought beautiful Hallmark cards after Christmas last year, and they will go back into the closet, into the card container, for another year. I feel so guilty!
But my writing out 50 or so cards, just wasn't "in the cards" this year! :)
ttfn
So, I'm looking forward to that. Alan and I will be alone on both Christmas Eve and Christmas. I'm going to make a capon for dinner on Christmas day. I remember my mother making capon on several occasions. I could never tell the difference between that and chicken. I realize that capon is a male chicken (rooster, unroostered), so I shall roast it the same way I would chicken. I recall growing up and enjoying capon because we got a bigger portion of "chicken" than normal. One chicken split six ways doesn't give the eater much meat. But capon...that's different because the bird tends to be much larger.
Of course, with just Alan and me eating the bird on Saturday, I'll have plenty left over for salad and soup. I was unable to get a duck, which is our normal fare on Christmas day.
Used to be, when the children were growing up, I'd splurge and get a standing rib roast for Christmas day. Just a couple of ribs. Well, I sent my shopper to get a four-rib roast. It weighed almost 10 pounds! And cost -- well, you can imagine what it cost. I cut it in half and we'll get two guest meals out of it. And since Dan (my grandson) will be visiting me on New Year's weekend, and he loves beef, I'll be able to use up the large of the two halves. You see, while I cut it into two ribs each, one side had more meat on it than the other, so one of the resulting roasts is larger than the other. Have no fear, Dan will eat it all up. I know that from past experience. He just loves roast beef or steak. And he especially likes the way I cook it.
I'm almost finished wrapping gifts. Just a few grandchildren prizes to wrap and I'm finished, I think. Than I can clean up "Christmas central" and get my newly organized office back in order.
Did I get Christmas cards addressed? NO! I did not. I only got 13 cards addressed and stamped and they are ready to be put into the mail box. 13 cards -- one for each grandchild. I hope they like them.
So, since I didn't address any cards, if you're reading this, you know you won't be getting a card from me this year. And it's a shame. I bought beautiful Hallmark cards after Christmas last year, and they will go back into the closet, into the card container, for another year. I feel so guilty!
But my writing out 50 or so cards, just wasn't "in the cards" this year! :)
ttfn
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas dinner
We enjoyed a "Christmas dinner" with my youngest child (Cyndi) and her husband (Shandon) and her children (Shandon 2.0, Tori, Adam, Jonah, Ellie, Jack) -- six of my grandchildren -- last night -- the 16th of December. It was a blessing for me and Alan.
We don't really get to see this set of grands very often, and, of course, they have grown a bit since we last saw them. My oldest grandchild, almost 17 now, is a tall 6 feet 2 inches. And to think it wasn't so long ago that he was only 17 inches long. Times sure does fly. But Shandon 2.0 is such a sweetheart. [We call him Shandon 2.0 because his dad is the first version and he is the second version and his father is really into computers.] He is the only grandchild that has always, without fail, hugged me as soon as I get in the door. Even when he was in the grunchy, I don't hug adults stage -- that being 10-14 -- he still always gave me a hug hello and good-by. I have really loved that about him.
Part of the time last night, besides eating an elk dinner which was absolutely delicious, we played Apples to Apples. I don't usually play games with the whole crowd. But I did last night, and it was a fun game, especially with the grandchildren. Their take on words is so different from the adults take, and then there is also the difference between male and female definition, but all in all it was a blast.
Oh, and I must mention that my daughter made her Boston Creme Pie, which is to die for. It is so good. I couldn't get any extra pieces of the pie though. I did try.
I do have to say, I'm really bummed that I didn't take any pictures. I forgot my camera. I was in a lot of pain and doing things in five-minute spurts all day in order to get everything wrapped, loaded, the car scraped, myself dressed, etc., that I forgot the camera.
Jack, the youngest, is so very shy, and so cute. He hides his head behind his arm, and thinks no one can see him. He was playing with his gift (a FP van) with one hand over his eyes and the other hand pushing the van. I finally decided I was going to put my arm over my eyes as well. When I did that, he would put his arm down so that he wasn't "hiding". I now know why my dear daughter can't bring him over to stay with me. He would never go for it. I don't need a crying baby for two or three hours. When he outgrows this shyness, I'll hope to have him come spend some time with me, or I'll go spend some time with him.
So, it was a very pleasant day. We had a snow storm go through just before we got there, but the drive was all cleared off and we had no trouble at all getting up "the hill" to their home. None of the children really wanted to go to school today, so their dad told them to pray for more snow.
Guess what? When we were leaving, it was snowing hard! And it snowed most of the night. I still don't know whether schools were closed, but when I got up at 10 a.m. (yes, I slept that late, which is not something I've been doing lately) the roads were covered and it was still snowing.
Anyway, I hope that they got their prayer answered with a yes and school was closed today. For them school is over until 2011. How nice to have so much time to enjoy family and friends.
ttfn
We don't really get to see this set of grands very often, and, of course, they have grown a bit since we last saw them. My oldest grandchild, almost 17 now, is a tall 6 feet 2 inches. And to think it wasn't so long ago that he was only 17 inches long. Times sure does fly. But Shandon 2.0 is such a sweetheart. [We call him Shandon 2.0 because his dad is the first version and he is the second version and his father is really into computers.] He is the only grandchild that has always, without fail, hugged me as soon as I get in the door. Even when he was in the grunchy, I don't hug adults stage -- that being 10-14 -- he still always gave me a hug hello and good-by. I have really loved that about him.
Part of the time last night, besides eating an elk dinner which was absolutely delicious, we played Apples to Apples. I don't usually play games with the whole crowd. But I did last night, and it was a fun game, especially with the grandchildren. Their take on words is so different from the adults take, and then there is also the difference between male and female definition, but all in all it was a blast.
Oh, and I must mention that my daughter made her Boston Creme Pie, which is to die for. It is so good. I couldn't get any extra pieces of the pie though. I did try.
I do have to say, I'm really bummed that I didn't take any pictures. I forgot my camera. I was in a lot of pain and doing things in five-minute spurts all day in order to get everything wrapped, loaded, the car scraped, myself dressed, etc., that I forgot the camera.
Jack, the youngest, is so very shy, and so cute. He hides his head behind his arm, and thinks no one can see him. He was playing with his gift (a FP van) with one hand over his eyes and the other hand pushing the van. I finally decided I was going to put my arm over my eyes as well. When I did that, he would put his arm down so that he wasn't "hiding". I now know why my dear daughter can't bring him over to stay with me. He would never go for it. I don't need a crying baby for two or three hours. When he outgrows this shyness, I'll hope to have him come spend some time with me, or I'll go spend some time with him.
So, it was a very pleasant day. We had a snow storm go through just before we got there, but the drive was all cleared off and we had no trouble at all getting up "the hill" to their home. None of the children really wanted to go to school today, so their dad told them to pray for more snow.
Guess what? When we were leaving, it was snowing hard! And it snowed most of the night. I still don't know whether schools were closed, but when I got up at 10 a.m. (yes, I slept that late, which is not something I've been doing lately) the roads were covered and it was still snowing.
Anyway, I hope that they got their prayer answered with a yes and school was closed today. For them school is over until 2011. How nice to have so much time to enjoy family and friends.
ttfn
Thursday, December 9, 2010
My girls
All my girls: Becky (darkest hair); Cyndi (medium brown hair); Amy (strawberry blond hair).
My girls! We had our "annual" Christmas breakfast. I started this tradition back when Becky and Cyndi were teenagers. Amy wasn't part of my family yet. I tried to have a breakfast with them every year, and then we'd meet up with their father, who worked downtown in Cincinnati, and we'd walk around looking at the decorations and go over to what is now Duke Energy and look at the model train display.
I continued this even when the grandchildren started coming. It seemed like every year for a few years we added a new baby and the restaurant we always went to downtown was getting more and more cramped. The restaurant was just a little "hole-in-the-wall" place, but we enjoyed it, and we could get a good, inexpensive breakfast there. Until...
The last time we went there -- service was horrible (I think the waitress was put off by so many babies), the food was really bad, and by the time we got out of there because of the poor service, the children, even the older ones, were all cranky. So, I decided, never again would we go there.
And that was the year we moved to Kentucky. I could have continued the trips to Cincinnati proper, but there is a Bob Evans about 1/4 mile from our home, and we have gone there most years since.
There has been a gap in our visits to Bob Evans over the past couple of years, but this year I was determined to have my daughters -- and whatever children could come and join us -- have breakfast with me.
It was a time of getting reacquainted and talking and getting caught up on all the children's lives and even the adults' lives. I am so glad we were able to get together just to chat (and eat).
It was lovely.
ttfn
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
I did it!
I know, I look so much heavier -- it's the new anti-fibromyalgia drugs I'm taking -- puffs up my face. I have actually lost about 10 pounds in the past two months.
Well, I finally did it. I got my hair colored. The first time in over 30 years. Since I started going gray at 16, I just pulled the hair out, but when I started going bald at 23, I started coloring it.
Well, I finally did it. I got my hair colored. The first time in over 30 years. Since I started going gray at 16, I just pulled the hair out, but when I started going bald at 23, I started coloring it.I just used Lady Clairol -- that was the only thing that was around back that many years ago (44). And I always wanted to be a blond, but even using the lightest color that Clairol had, my black hair would only turn brown, and a cruddy brown at that.
When we moved to Cincinnati and I had a wonderful lady in our church who did my hair, by that time (my mid-30s) I was completely white. But she colored it, so it looked "salt and pepper". That's what they call mostly black, some gray.
I remember one time, fortunately it was near Christmas, and something in the toner didn't sit well with my hair, and it turned purple. Well, in the shop it didn't look purple, but when I got to work after my appointment, I was being kidded about my purple hair, and since that was a Friday, I had to wait until the following Monday to get it fixed, which meant going to church with purple hair. Not a fun thing! My stylist today remembers that incident. She was about 12 when that happened.
Yes, little girls who go to your church do grow up and become hair stylists.
That was my last time getting the hair colored, and I just let it go pure white. Now after all these years, I finally decided I needed a new hair style and a new color. The picture doesn't really show the style because I forgot that I had a hat on after the visit to my hair-stylist and it's flat. But the style I chose is a pixie/Audrey Hepburn style, and color is sort of a blondish/tanish/grayish/ non-descript color which will, I am told, wash well.
So, that was our day. Alan and I both had out hair cut. He had a beard trim, and since I haven't grown one of them, yet, I just got a cut and color.
Tomorrow morning (Thursday) is my girls' breakfast day. I can't wait. I have been praying and preparing for this for weeks. My prayer is that we'll all have a great time and enjoy each other's company and get caught up on what's been going on in the families. My preparation has been to select very special gifts for each of the ladies -- separate from their Christmas gifts in a couple of weeks -- and hope they enjoy them. And...
I'll finally be able to give my youngest her birthday present -- it's only two months late!
ttfn
Monday, December 6, 2010
Salads,
Silly topic for a BLOG title, but I'll get to "salads" in a few.
First, I have to say that our ladies' Christmas lunch (an annual community event for the past 8 years) was spectacular as always. The ladies of the Chain Gang did a wonderful job with the decorations, and the gift wrapping, and, of course, the food. An enjoyable time was had by all.
Saddened to hear that one of my neighbors died last week (nobody let me know) and one of our favorite, funny, women is in Hospice. She wasn't even sick a week ago. And now she's under Hospice care. Life is never a given, is it?
Now to the topic of salads.
I love green, leafy/vegetable salads. My favorite, currently, is romaine and avocado and cucumbers, maybe some celery greens, if I can get them, all mixed together with some lemon (fresh squeezed) juice, seasoned with just a little bit of sea salt.
I sometimes put some sardines on top, or some tuna, or some other kind of fish, but sardines (in olive oil) are my favorite.
Now, I say currently, because I go through phases.
When I was growing up we had a green salad at the end of the meal with a simple olive oil/vinegar dressing. And we kids would fight over who got the bottom of the bowl, because that's where all the dressing was.
So, I've always had an affinity for green leafy salads. But I also like potato salad, tomato salad, macaroni salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, salmon salad, fruit salad. The list probably goes on. I would have to say, however, my second favorite salad is macaroni salad and then I put that on top of a bed of green leafy something, and spritz it with lemon juice (fresh squeezed).
Tonight, Alan wasn't feeling great and he didn't want me to cook anything because of the smell -- today was an "I don't want to smell anything" day. Stomach upset. Anyway, I did make myself a large salad, and he decided he wanted a Cobb salad (his favorite), so I made him a Cobb salad.
I know, if I were sick to my stomach, I would want toast or crackers. He wanted a salad, so I gave him a salad and he digested it well.
I'm still enjoying the snow. We had a few puffs of snow again today, just enough to put a shine on top what fell on Saturday and Sunday.
And...
I'm getting to my cards tomorrow, I promise.
ttfn
First, I have to say that our ladies' Christmas lunch (an annual community event for the past 8 years) was spectacular as always. The ladies of the Chain Gang did a wonderful job with the decorations, and the gift wrapping, and, of course, the food. An enjoyable time was had by all.
Saddened to hear that one of my neighbors died last week (nobody let me know) and one of our favorite, funny, women is in Hospice. She wasn't even sick a week ago. And now she's under Hospice care. Life is never a given, is it?
Now to the topic of salads.
I love green, leafy/vegetable salads. My favorite, currently, is romaine and avocado and cucumbers, maybe some celery greens, if I can get them, all mixed together with some lemon (fresh squeezed) juice, seasoned with just a little bit of sea salt.
I sometimes put some sardines on top, or some tuna, or some other kind of fish, but sardines (in olive oil) are my favorite.
Now, I say currently, because I go through phases.
When I was growing up we had a green salad at the end of the meal with a simple olive oil/vinegar dressing. And we kids would fight over who got the bottom of the bowl, because that's where all the dressing was.
So, I've always had an affinity for green leafy salads. But I also like potato salad, tomato salad, macaroni salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, salmon salad, fruit salad. The list probably goes on. I would have to say, however, my second favorite salad is macaroni salad and then I put that on top of a bed of green leafy something, and spritz it with lemon juice (fresh squeezed).
Tonight, Alan wasn't feeling great and he didn't want me to cook anything because of the smell -- today was an "I don't want to smell anything" day. Stomach upset. Anyway, I did make myself a large salad, and he decided he wanted a Cobb salad (his favorite), so I made him a Cobb salad.
I know, if I were sick to my stomach, I would want toast or crackers. He wanted a salad, so I gave him a salad and he digested it well.
I'm still enjoying the snow. We had a few puffs of snow again today, just enough to put a shine on top what fell on Saturday and Sunday.
And...
I'm getting to my cards tomorrow, I promise.
ttfn
Saturday, December 4, 2010
SNOW!
This is a picture from my "snow" (sun) porch just before it got dark and it was just starting to snow heavily.
You can see the snow coming down. This is a view of our swimming pool.
Unfortunately, you can't see the blue lights that line the "memory" walk. This is a little area we have set aside for to remember those who have passed on. Their names are engraved in the bricks of this little patio. The light is in the middle. And you can see the snow coming down.Well, we did get snow. We didn't get as much as they said, though. Not too happy about that. We have probably an inch on most surfaces. The streets are just wet (and icy?). I don't know about the icy because I haven't been out, but if the temperature is hovering around 30 degrees, and getting ready to fall, I guess the water will freeze sometime during the night.
I got up early this morning, just as the sun was supposed to be shining in my window, and there was snow on the roofs and cars. The second day in a row. Yipee! But it wasn't really snowing hard, like it was supposed to be doing, and as radar was showing that it was. So, I got my coffee -- yes, I'm back on coffee again, since my stomach seems to be tolerating it -- And promptly fell asleep while I was waiting for my meds to take effect. I usually just read for about an hour before I get moving.
So, since I fell asleep in my "reading" chair, I went back to bed. Got up at 1:30. How slovenly is that? Retirement -- you've got to love it!
My neighbor downstairs (Teresa) called and she is having breathing and coughing problems. I'm on "alert" in case I have to take her to the ER. She dropped the phone while she was talking to me, and I thought she fell. I was all set to "run" downstairs and get her some help. Well, she didn't fall, she just said she was so weak that the phone fell from her hands.
I got up early this morning, just as the sun was supposed to be shining in my window, and there was snow on the roofs and cars. The second day in a row. Yipee! But it wasn't really snowing hard, like it was supposed to be doing, and as radar was showing that it was. So, I got my coffee -- yes, I'm back on coffee again, since my stomach seems to be tolerating it -- And promptly fell asleep while I was waiting for my meds to take effect. I usually just read for about an hour before I get moving.
So, since I fell asleep in my "reading" chair, I went back to bed. Got up at 1:30. How slovenly is that? Retirement -- you've got to love it!
My neighbor downstairs (Teresa) called and she is having breathing and coughing problems. I'm on "alert" in case I have to take her to the ER. She dropped the phone while she was talking to me, and I thought she fell. I was all set to "run" downstairs and get her some help. Well, she didn't fall, she just said she was so weak that the phone fell from her hands.
Monday is our annual Christmas luncheon here at Chardonnay. And I'm looking forward to it, again. We always have such a good time. Although, each year the group gets smaller and smaller because of those who have passed on.
So, I'm going to go take those snow pictures now, and then get the evening shots in about an hour. I'll be back. As you can see I posted the pictures. Snow..I love it.
ttfn
So, I'm going to go take those snow pictures now, and then get the evening shots in about an hour. I'll be back. As you can see I posted the pictures. Snow..I love it.
ttfn
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Snow fixation
I know people think I have a snow fixation. Just because I love seasonal snowmen figures, either stuffed or glass or wooden (not plastic, please) or because I love snow showers and yes, even love deep snow that stops all traffic for days, doesn't mean I have a snow fixation, does it?
Tomorrow, they say, we will be getting more snow showers. Yesterdays bluster provided us with a nice dusting. I love those dustings. It looks like it snowed, but it doesn't stop any traffic -- you see I feel sorry for those folks that don't like snow because of what it does to their drive time. I hope the prognosticators are correct again -- that would be three for three, dare I hope? -- and we get the predicted amount -- 3 inches at least. I think that would be so pretty, especially this time of year.
In my next BLOG, or maybe I'll edit this one tomorrow, I'll post pictures of our community at night. The landscape committee did an outstanding job this year and the view from my sun porch is so pretty. The views, of necessity, will have to be at night. Although, I do get a fine view of the club house and the day decorations are quite nice as well.
My decorations are still not all up. I do a little each day. But now, I'm throwing myself into getting everything wrapped, the candy bags made up for the grandchildren, the money jar ready, and making sure I have ordered all those on-line gifts that a person who can't walk has to order. I wonder how did people who didn't have access to the Internet get those gifts for their grandchildren. Oh, yeah, I remember, they just gave them cash.
I really prefer giving cash, because I hate to give something that a child wouldn't like, but what does a two-year-old do with a $20 bill? You see the problem? I have several "younger" grandchildren who still enjoy toys, so I call my children every year to find out what I should get their child(ren). I tell them how much I can spend, they tell me what their child would want.
Tonight I asked my dear DIL what she thought her youngest daughter would want. She said a make-up kit. Well, I know that Rachel (my granddaughter) would love that, but I can get that at the dollar store for under $5. So I told my DIL that I was thinking of spending a little more money than what it would cost me to get the make up stuff.
Macy's is having a great sale on children's clothing now through Dec. 8. I have an extra 25 percent-off card. I'm thinking of risking my life and going to Macy's tomorrow to pick up some clothes for the little girls who like pretty dresses that are on my list.
Pray for me. I'm not joking about that. I am so afraid I'll fall or get pushed and then fall that I really don't want to go to Macy's, but I do love their clothing bargains.
Today I rested all day. I'm feeling great tonight, so hopefully that will spill over into tomorrow and the change in weather won't affect my legs and back.
ttfn
Tomorrow, they say, we will be getting more snow showers. Yesterdays bluster provided us with a nice dusting. I love those dustings. It looks like it snowed, but it doesn't stop any traffic -- you see I feel sorry for those folks that don't like snow because of what it does to their drive time. I hope the prognosticators are correct again -- that would be three for three, dare I hope? -- and we get the predicted amount -- 3 inches at least. I think that would be so pretty, especially this time of year.
In my next BLOG, or maybe I'll edit this one tomorrow, I'll post pictures of our community at night. The landscape committee did an outstanding job this year and the view from my sun porch is so pretty. The views, of necessity, will have to be at night. Although, I do get a fine view of the club house and the day decorations are quite nice as well.
My decorations are still not all up. I do a little each day. But now, I'm throwing myself into getting everything wrapped, the candy bags made up for the grandchildren, the money jar ready, and making sure I have ordered all those on-line gifts that a person who can't walk has to order. I wonder how did people who didn't have access to the Internet get those gifts for their grandchildren. Oh, yeah, I remember, they just gave them cash.
I really prefer giving cash, because I hate to give something that a child wouldn't like, but what does a two-year-old do with a $20 bill? You see the problem? I have several "younger" grandchildren who still enjoy toys, so I call my children every year to find out what I should get their child(ren). I tell them how much I can spend, they tell me what their child would want.
Tonight I asked my dear DIL what she thought her youngest daughter would want. She said a make-up kit. Well, I know that Rachel (my granddaughter) would love that, but I can get that at the dollar store for under $5. So I told my DIL that I was thinking of spending a little more money than what it would cost me to get the make up stuff.
Macy's is having a great sale on children's clothing now through Dec. 8. I have an extra 25 percent-off card. I'm thinking of risking my life and going to Macy's tomorrow to pick up some clothes for the little girls who like pretty dresses that are on my list.
Pray for me. I'm not joking about that. I am so afraid I'll fall or get pushed and then fall that I really don't want to go to Macy's, but I do love their clothing bargains.
Today I rested all day. I'm feeling great tonight, so hopefully that will spill over into tomorrow and the change in weather won't affect my legs and back.
ttfn
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Snow again?
Yeah, right!
Snow showers are predicted for tomorrow and Thursday. I'll believe that when I see them. Although we did get a dusting the other night. So maybe we'll get a bit of the white stuff this time as well.
It's been raining very hard since last night. And the sun porch was quite warm this morning when I went out there, albeit dampish. No leaks, just damp.
Did I mention that I put the car refrigerator -- we bought a pretty hefty size portable for the van back when we went out west -- on the porch and plugged it in. I always need extra refrigerator space this time of year, and I can't count on the weather being cold enough for the back porch to be that extra cooler. That little fridge has been such a blessing for me this year. The Thanksgiving left overs all went into that box -- extra bread, extra cookies, etc.
I have a new post at Runnemede Remembered today. I received an e-mail from an old friend from the church in Runnemede who had read some of the older BLOG stories and was enjoying and recalling some of the things I had written about.
I know my 50th high school graduation reunion is coming up in September and that two-day event will be here sooner than I know it. Alan and I are staying at the hotel which will be 50th year central. I can't believe that school is now an OLD school. It was brand new when I was a freshman, which means the school is over 50 years old. The school across the street from me is a real antique.
Have I rambled enough for today? Does my sister know that I am alive and well? That's one of the reasons I try to write something even if it is gibber-jabber. So, sis, I hope you have a good day and enjoyed the little snippets and thoughts of today.
One more thing before I stop. I just read a book entitled "Almost Heaven". It was quite a good book. I don't know whether it was fiction or not. I think it was a story based on fact. Anyway, it had some really good points in it on what it means to be a Christian. Can't recall the author.
So, that is definitely ttfn.
Snow showers are predicted for tomorrow and Thursday. I'll believe that when I see them. Although we did get a dusting the other night. So maybe we'll get a bit of the white stuff this time as well.
It's been raining very hard since last night. And the sun porch was quite warm this morning when I went out there, albeit dampish. No leaks, just damp.
Did I mention that I put the car refrigerator -- we bought a pretty hefty size portable for the van back when we went out west -- on the porch and plugged it in. I always need extra refrigerator space this time of year, and I can't count on the weather being cold enough for the back porch to be that extra cooler. That little fridge has been such a blessing for me this year. The Thanksgiving left overs all went into that box -- extra bread, extra cookies, etc.
I have a new post at Runnemede Remembered today. I received an e-mail from an old friend from the church in Runnemede who had read some of the older BLOG stories and was enjoying and recalling some of the things I had written about.
I know my 50th high school graduation reunion is coming up in September and that two-day event will be here sooner than I know it. Alan and I are staying at the hotel which will be 50th year central. I can't believe that school is now an OLD school. It was brand new when I was a freshman, which means the school is over 50 years old. The school across the street from me is a real antique.
Have I rambled enough for today? Does my sister know that I am alive and well? That's one of the reasons I try to write something even if it is gibber-jabber. So, sis, I hope you have a good day and enjoyed the little snippets and thoughts of today.
One more thing before I stop. I just read a book entitled "Almost Heaven". It was quite a good book. I don't know whether it was fiction or not. I think it was a story based on fact. Anyway, it had some really good points in it on what it means to be a Christian. Can't recall the author.
So, that is definitely ttfn.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thanksgiving/Christmas
Well, Thanksgiving is over and Alan and I enjoyed a great meal with our friend, Tamara. We had a feast, actually. All of us ate too much, I think.
I had baked three pies. And the apple pie was the best received. We all had a piece for dinner on Thanksgiving, and then Alan and I enjoyed it for another meal. That left one rather large piece. Alan ate the whole thing. Didn't even ask if I wanted a bite, which I did, of course. It was a really, really good apple pie. And, I don't brag about my baking abilities, because they aren't good, I'll readily admit that. But that pie, was really, really good.
So, now that you know that the pie was really, really good, you should know that all my snowmen are out. We had out "first snow" -- it was just a little dusting -- on Thanksgiving night into the early morning. I saw the flakes coming down around 11:30 p.m. and it was snowing quite heavily at that time, but it was still warm on the ground, I suppose, since it had been almost 60 degrees earlier in the day.
I admit that having my snowmen all around the house is a tradition for me, and I love those little rascals. I have skiing snowmen, skating snowmen, fluffy snowmen, skinny snowmen. I could go on. However, one of the boxes is missing. It has to be, because I know I didn't get rid of 35 snowmen over the course of the year. I don't give away my snowmen.
Sort of like Toy Story 3 -- they get put in the attic, but I, unlike the boy in TS3 do NOT give them away.
Finally, it's Monday, almost December, and I can't believe it's almost the end of another year. Where did the time this year go? Seems like it was just Christmas a few weeks ago, yet our last vacation seems to have disappeared ages ago, and that was a little over a month ago.
I think the highlight of this year will be our great return to Runnemede in May. What a blast that was. I wonder what will be the best thing for next year. All the days are good, because they are God-given.
I have read my daily BLOGs, after four days of being off-line. And, I have almost all my Christmas decorations up, as have those BLOGgers whose BLOGs I read. It must have been one of those weekend when we all did the same thing. Except...I did NOT go to any stores the entire weekend.
Hope you shoppers had fun freezing in line to get a few items at good prices. Not my cup of tea any more. I used to do that when we lived in New York City and I would go to the Macy's annual white sale. Now that was a "take your life in your hands" sale. Never again will I do that. At my age, I fear falling, and I just know that someone would bump into me and I'd be on the ground waiting for the paramedics to come pick me up. From past experience I know that it takes two strong men to get me up off the ground if I can't do it myself. And mostly I can't.
Do I need one of those "I've fallen and I can't get up" necklaces? Probably.
ttfn
I had baked three pies. And the apple pie was the best received. We all had a piece for dinner on Thanksgiving, and then Alan and I enjoyed it for another meal. That left one rather large piece. Alan ate the whole thing. Didn't even ask if I wanted a bite, which I did, of course. It was a really, really good apple pie. And, I don't brag about my baking abilities, because they aren't good, I'll readily admit that. But that pie, was really, really good.
So, now that you know that the pie was really, really good, you should know that all my snowmen are out. We had out "first snow" -- it was just a little dusting -- on Thanksgiving night into the early morning. I saw the flakes coming down around 11:30 p.m. and it was snowing quite heavily at that time, but it was still warm on the ground, I suppose, since it had been almost 60 degrees earlier in the day.
I admit that having my snowmen all around the house is a tradition for me, and I love those little rascals. I have skiing snowmen, skating snowmen, fluffy snowmen, skinny snowmen. I could go on. However, one of the boxes is missing. It has to be, because I know I didn't get rid of 35 snowmen over the course of the year. I don't give away my snowmen.
Sort of like Toy Story 3 -- they get put in the attic, but I, unlike the boy in TS3 do NOT give them away.
Finally, it's Monday, almost December, and I can't believe it's almost the end of another year. Where did the time this year go? Seems like it was just Christmas a few weeks ago, yet our last vacation seems to have disappeared ages ago, and that was a little over a month ago.
I think the highlight of this year will be our great return to Runnemede in May. What a blast that was. I wonder what will be the best thing for next year. All the days are good, because they are God-given.
I have read my daily BLOGs, after four days of being off-line. And, I have almost all my Christmas decorations up, as have those BLOGgers whose BLOGs I read. It must have been one of those weekend when we all did the same thing. Except...I did NOT go to any stores the entire weekend.
Hope you shoppers had fun freezing in line to get a few items at good prices. Not my cup of tea any more. I used to do that when we lived in New York City and I would go to the Macy's annual white sale. Now that was a "take your life in your hands" sale. Never again will I do that. At my age, I fear falling, and I just know that someone would bump into me and I'd be on the ground waiting for the paramedics to come pick me up. From past experience I know that it takes two strong men to get me up off the ground if I can't do it myself. And mostly I can't.
Do I need one of those "I've fallen and I can't get up" necklaces? Probably.
ttfn
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Just checkin' in
It's been a few days since I last posted anything on my BLOGs. I am okay, for those of you who care, and I know there are a few of you out there.
I have been in "sleep mode" for the past few days. Meaning that I sleep and sleep and sleep, all day long and all night long. I think "sleep mode" is over for a few days, though, since I'm wide awake and it's just about 5 a.m. Seems I do my best thinking at night, then I get up because I've had a bright idea and by the time I walk to the front of the house to get on my computer I forget what I thought was such a wonderful idea for a post.
No such wonderful thoughts for today, though. Just wide awake.
I'm feeling well, walking okay, cooking poor dinners (last night we had hot dogs and mac and cheese -- from the blue box -- spiked). Tonight, I hope to make a delicious meal of something, don't know what yet. The possibilities are endless I suppose. We did have delicious ravioli the other night. Great sauce for the four-cheese ravioli. And no, while I made the sauce (gravy) I didn't make the ravioli. I bought them in the speciality department at Krogers.
I think I mentioned that I have one tree up. Today is the day! Today I get out the snowmen. It's supposed to snow tomorrow, so I suppose it's time to get them out. Poor Alan, he'll hate it.
I think I'll put them on the porch this year. I decided not to light up the back since no one can see it except me and my neighbor to the north. I think I'll just put the snowmen out there, at least most of them. Some, I must have inside. And then I have the one tree for the front window, facing the street, and the other tree will be in the back in the living room.
Yes, my living room is in the back of the house. It's big enough for several trees and I usually put at least four trees in the room -- of course three of them are only 3 feet high. The other one is a charlie brown tree, six feet tall, which I love. I have a ten foot ceiling in my living room, so I could have a gigantic tree, I suppose, but I do love my Charlie Brown tree. I need to take a picture of it.
This weekend will be special for me and my grandson, David. He's coming over to bake with me. I've printed out several recipes for him to follow. We'll make two pies each (he can take home a pumpkin pie and an apple pie), and we'll make some chocolate chip cookies, some macaroons, and some fruit cake cookies, a family favorite.
So, now I can stop rambling for the time being. But I'll probably be very busy this weekend with the community Thanksgiving dinner and my dear grandson.
ttfn
I have been in "sleep mode" for the past few days. Meaning that I sleep and sleep and sleep, all day long and all night long. I think "sleep mode" is over for a few days, though, since I'm wide awake and it's just about 5 a.m. Seems I do my best thinking at night, then I get up because I've had a bright idea and by the time I walk to the front of the house to get on my computer I forget what I thought was such a wonderful idea for a post.
No such wonderful thoughts for today, though. Just wide awake.
I'm feeling well, walking okay, cooking poor dinners (last night we had hot dogs and mac and cheese -- from the blue box -- spiked). Tonight, I hope to make a delicious meal of something, don't know what yet. The possibilities are endless I suppose. We did have delicious ravioli the other night. Great sauce for the four-cheese ravioli. And no, while I made the sauce (gravy) I didn't make the ravioli. I bought them in the speciality department at Krogers.
I think I mentioned that I have one tree up. Today is the day! Today I get out the snowmen. It's supposed to snow tomorrow, so I suppose it's time to get them out. Poor Alan, he'll hate it.
I think I'll put them on the porch this year. I decided not to light up the back since no one can see it except me and my neighbor to the north. I think I'll just put the snowmen out there, at least most of them. Some, I must have inside. And then I have the one tree for the front window, facing the street, and the other tree will be in the back in the living room.
Yes, my living room is in the back of the house. It's big enough for several trees and I usually put at least four trees in the room -- of course three of them are only 3 feet high. The other one is a charlie brown tree, six feet tall, which I love. I have a ten foot ceiling in my living room, so I could have a gigantic tree, I suppose, but I do love my Charlie Brown tree. I need to take a picture of it.
This weekend will be special for me and my grandson, David. He's coming over to bake with me. I've printed out several recipes for him to follow. We'll make two pies each (he can take home a pumpkin pie and an apple pie), and we'll make some chocolate chip cookies, some macaroons, and some fruit cake cookies, a family favorite.
So, now I can stop rambling for the time being. But I'll probably be very busy this weekend with the community Thanksgiving dinner and my dear grandson.
ttfn
Monday, November 15, 2010
I don't know what I'd do without...
This is Becky. Wonderful daughter number 1.
I have a wonderful daughter. I actually have two wonderful daughters, but I just want to talk about one of them today. She is helpful, kind, considerate, merciful, and a servant at heart. We went out to spend the day with her and her family yesterday (Sunday) and had a wonderful time. Becky is a beautiful woman and I think she gets prettier the older she gets. She also has an inner God-given beauty that can't be duplicated.
Her daughters, Grace and Annie are also beautiful girls and they get more and more beautiful each time I see them. Dan is going to be a very handsome man, just like his daddy.
Dan and Alan and Quinn (Beck's husband) played a game while I retaught Annie how to knit and Grace played the guitar for me. She is getting very good on that instrument. She was too shy to sing, which she does in church. She has a really nice voice.
Then, I must continue with I don't know what I'd do without my personal assistant. We've been on a cleaning/purging/organizing binge and she doesn't nag about throwing things away, but I think secretly she is praying about items as they pass before me and Alan, that we'll get rid of them.
I have ditched so many things I haven't used for years, and my rooms and closets are getting so organized. I love it. Alan has even given up several items from the garage, if you can believe that. He says the car fits in the garage, you just cant get out of it. So, more purging will be required of him in the days to come. We are determined to get the car into the garage before the first real snow.
So, as Christmas approaches and I have Christmas central disrupting my office, I am still so very pleased with what we have accomplished in the past few weeks.
And I so appreciate my PA's assistance (Tamara is her name). She's such an uplifter. She can cheer me up if I'm hurting just by her attitude -- always positive. I love it.
Thanks to all for your prayers for Alan and me and our health problems. We are working to improve, but realize it's part of aging and God is in control -- that's the best part, knowing who controls our lives.
ttfn
Her daughters, Grace and Annie are also beautiful girls and they get more and more beautiful each time I see them. Dan is going to be a very handsome man, just like his daddy.
Dan and Alan and Quinn (Beck's husband) played a game while I retaught Annie how to knit and Grace played the guitar for me. She is getting very good on that instrument. She was too shy to sing, which she does in church. She has a really nice voice.
Then, I must continue with I don't know what I'd do without my personal assistant. We've been on a cleaning/purging/organizing binge and she doesn't nag about throwing things away, but I think secretly she is praying about items as they pass before me and Alan, that we'll get rid of them.
I have ditched so many things I haven't used for years, and my rooms and closets are getting so organized. I love it. Alan has even given up several items from the garage, if you can believe that. He says the car fits in the garage, you just cant get out of it. So, more purging will be required of him in the days to come. We are determined to get the car into the garage before the first real snow.
So, as Christmas approaches and I have Christmas central disrupting my office, I am still so very pleased with what we have accomplished in the past few weeks.
And I so appreciate my PA's assistance (Tamara is her name). She's such an uplifter. She can cheer me up if I'm hurting just by her attitude -- always positive. I love it.
Thanks to all for your prayers for Alan and me and our health problems. We are working to improve, but realize it's part of aging and God is in control -- that's the best part, knowing who controls our lives.
ttfn
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Busy-ness
It just never stops. I thought retirement would be a time of R&R. Not so. Oh, yes, I have the benefit of not having to get up at 5:30 a.m. So why am I up at 5:30 a.m. so many mornings? Habit? I don't know, but I do know that after a few days of the early rise, I spend a long time in bed sleeping. Like yesterday.
Alan and I had several errands to run -- see? no rest there. And one of them was having the car serviced. Most times this takes about 1/2 hour. Well, yesterday it took a bit longer, and no matter how hard I tried, I keep falling asleep in the "wait" room. Good thing Alan and I were the only ones there. Snoring is embarrassing, unless it's in front of only your spouse.
When we left the auto servicing center, it was a short 4-mile drive home. I made Alan talk to me about anything and everything to keep me awake. When I got home I went to bed, intending to get up around 5:30 p.m. to make sure Alan had some dinner before the community Board meeting. He, bless his heart, didn't even wake me to tell me he was leaving for the meeting. I woke up around 7:30 pm, but only for a little bit. He got home around 7:45 and I gave him his supper (another sandwich, so glad he likes sandwiches), and then I went back to bed. I turned the light off at 9:30 -- only because I kept falling asleep while trying to read. I supposed all that sleep yesterday and overnight is why I'm up, once again, at 5:30 a.m.
Back to busy-ness. What is it that makes me so busy? I really don't know. I don't consider that I do so much, but I'm always busy, and I think -- "ah, tomorrow, there's nothing going on" and bam! there it is, some little tweak in the "nothing going on" schedule and I'm busy again.
I did get some Christmas shopping done with my PA on Monday -- got a new pre-lit tree for the front bedroom to put in the window. So, I'll have two larger trees this year and four small ones. I arranged Christmas balls in a tall vase with lights for the landing of the steps. All I have to do now is plug it in. I only hope the lights still work. I seem to have a problem with Christmas lights. They work one day, and the next, they are no longer functioning, and no matter how many fuses I replace, the lights still don't work. And yes, I have lights that stay on even if one or more is burnt out.
Oh, dear, lights are out, run to dollar store to pick up some more lights -- you see? Busyness.
'Tis the season for busyness, though, and I love it. Really I do. I love the lights, the getting the house decorated, the food, the smell of fresh baked goods, the breakfast with my girls, the get together with the whole family during Christmas week. All those enjoyments take preparation -- busy-ness.
My once very cleaned up office (that lasted about a week) is now Christmas central, so I have a bunch of bags on the floor all with either a Christmas present or more in it, or some sort of decoration. I allow myself two big purchases in that department each year, and several smaller purchases. I spend no more than $100 total on decorations/wrapping paper/cards. Speaking of which...
I have lots of Christmas cards to address. Oh, my. I'm not looking forward to that chore. But that will give me more floor space, because right now the storage box with the Christmas cards in it is staring at me, saying: "Please write out your cards so I can be put back where I belong."
Busyness. I wonder what today will hold in that department.
ttfn
Alan and I had several errands to run -- see? no rest there. And one of them was having the car serviced. Most times this takes about 1/2 hour. Well, yesterday it took a bit longer, and no matter how hard I tried, I keep falling asleep in the "wait" room. Good thing Alan and I were the only ones there. Snoring is embarrassing, unless it's in front of only your spouse.
When we left the auto servicing center, it was a short 4-mile drive home. I made Alan talk to me about anything and everything to keep me awake. When I got home I went to bed, intending to get up around 5:30 p.m. to make sure Alan had some dinner before the community Board meeting. He, bless his heart, didn't even wake me to tell me he was leaving for the meeting. I woke up around 7:30 pm, but only for a little bit. He got home around 7:45 and I gave him his supper (another sandwich, so glad he likes sandwiches), and then I went back to bed. I turned the light off at 9:30 -- only because I kept falling asleep while trying to read. I supposed all that sleep yesterday and overnight is why I'm up, once again, at 5:30 a.m.
Back to busy-ness. What is it that makes me so busy? I really don't know. I don't consider that I do so much, but I'm always busy, and I think -- "ah, tomorrow, there's nothing going on" and bam! there it is, some little tweak in the "nothing going on" schedule and I'm busy again.
I did get some Christmas shopping done with my PA on Monday -- got a new pre-lit tree for the front bedroom to put in the window. So, I'll have two larger trees this year and four small ones. I arranged Christmas balls in a tall vase with lights for the landing of the steps. All I have to do now is plug it in. I only hope the lights still work. I seem to have a problem with Christmas lights. They work one day, and the next, they are no longer functioning, and no matter how many fuses I replace, the lights still don't work. And yes, I have lights that stay on even if one or more is burnt out.
Oh, dear, lights are out, run to dollar store to pick up some more lights -- you see? Busyness.
'Tis the season for busyness, though, and I love it. Really I do. I love the lights, the getting the house decorated, the food, the smell of fresh baked goods, the breakfast with my girls, the get together with the whole family during Christmas week. All those enjoyments take preparation -- busy-ness.
My once very cleaned up office (that lasted about a week) is now Christmas central, so I have a bunch of bags on the floor all with either a Christmas present or more in it, or some sort of decoration. I allow myself two big purchases in that department each year, and several smaller purchases. I spend no more than $100 total on decorations/wrapping paper/cards. Speaking of which...
I have lots of Christmas cards to address. Oh, my. I'm not looking forward to that chore. But that will give me more floor space, because right now the storage box with the Christmas cards in it is staring at me, saying: "Please write out your cards so I can be put back where I belong."
Busyness. I wonder what today will hold in that department.
ttfn
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Check out Runnemede Remembered Recipes
Check out Runnemede Remembered Recipes (November 7, 2010) for todays posting and update on our lives.
http://www.runnemederememberedrecipes.blogspot.com
ttfn
http://www.runnemederememberedrecipes.blogspot.com
ttfn
Friday, November 5, 2010
Snow. Already?
Well, I didn't see any, but we were supposed to get snow mixed with rain, or was it rain mixed with snow, this morning. I got up at 7:30 and looked, nothing. I stayed awake until around 10, and then fell asleep waiting for my pills to take effect. Didn't see any snow. And I still don't see any snow.
I wish the weather people wouldn't get my hopes up with those predictions that "we might see snow mixed with rain" or "we might see rain mixed with snow" in the morning. "Little to no covering is expected." I don't care about the covering. I just like to see those snowflakes falling to the ground.
So, I have to ask, is it time to get out my 110 snowmen? I asked Alan. He got a very sick look on his face, turned green, and then said, "I would appreciate it if you would at least wait until Thanksgiving."
Don't know whether I'll wait that long, but I will wait a little longer.
ttfn
I wish the weather people wouldn't get my hopes up with those predictions that "we might see snow mixed with rain" or "we might see rain mixed with snow" in the morning. "Little to no covering is expected." I don't care about the covering. I just like to see those snowflakes falling to the ground.
So, I have to ask, is it time to get out my 110 snowmen? I asked Alan. He got a very sick look on his face, turned green, and then said, "I would appreciate it if you would at least wait until Thanksgiving."
Don't know whether I'll wait that long, but I will wait a little longer.
ttfn
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Early morning meanderings
I'm not sure meanderings is the correct word, but my mind is wandering over many things this morning (it's 4:30 am).
I'm wondering why I slept for almost 36 hours straight. I fell asleep in Monday afternoon, slept for 3 hours, got up and made dinner, went back to bed about an hour later, and fell right back to sleep. I got up yesterday at 11:30 a.m., only because I finally woke up and felt I needed to get up, but no sooner did I get up and try to do what I normally do in the morning (take my meds, read the Bible), I fell asleep in the chair, so I figured, I might as well go back to bed, beside we were getting ready for a storm and I love laying in bed during a storm. I tried to read, but fell asleep, dropped my Kindle, and missed the whole storm event.
I woke up around 2:30 -- the phone rang -- and I got up again -- got Alan something to eat -- and went back to bed. Just too tired to do anything else. I promptly fell back to sleep. Arose again at 7:00 p.m. Made dinner and was back to bed AND ASLEEP by 8:30, at least I think it was 8:30, I missed most of The Biggest Loser, so haven't a clue what happened there. Woke up around 11 p.m., turned off the TV and light, and went back to sleep until 3:30 this morning. WOW!.
I hope I'm up for good at least long enough to take us to the swimming pool, the DMV, and other errands we have on our list. Alan's been kinda under the weather as well. So, I'm wondering if something is going around. Has sleeping sickness attacked Cold Spring? Or is it just something in our home?
It's funny when I'm sleepy and reading, I make up the story and read words that aren't there. Does anyone else do that? I'm reading another Karen Kingsbury book (Rejoice) and yesterday as I was reading, I was putting words in the text that weren't there, nor did they make sense to be there, but I could see those words on the page just as clearly as, or perhaps more clearly than, the actual words on the page.
Oh yeah, the doctor called. My kidneys are fine, just a little small. I told her that was because I'm a small person under all this girth. She laughed. So, that's one perceived problem I don't have to worry about. You know, the doctor always gives you worst case scenario, and she really did give it to me: "You might need to go on dialysis." Yeah, like we all like to hear that, don't we? I've had lower than normal kidney function for over 15 years (since my doctors been testing for that) and it's always the same "lower than normal" number. We move on, and pray all stays as it is and doesn't get worse.
Uh-oh, I'm yawning. Does that mean another round of sleepy time? Coffee isn't helping. Maybe another cup?
For those who like Runnemede Remembered Recipes I put up another recipe this morning.
ttfn
I'm wondering why I slept for almost 36 hours straight. I fell asleep in Monday afternoon, slept for 3 hours, got up and made dinner, went back to bed about an hour later, and fell right back to sleep. I got up yesterday at 11:30 a.m., only because I finally woke up and felt I needed to get up, but no sooner did I get up and try to do what I normally do in the morning (take my meds, read the Bible), I fell asleep in the chair, so I figured, I might as well go back to bed, beside we were getting ready for a storm and I love laying in bed during a storm. I tried to read, but fell asleep, dropped my Kindle, and missed the whole storm event.
I woke up around 2:30 -- the phone rang -- and I got up again -- got Alan something to eat -- and went back to bed. Just too tired to do anything else. I promptly fell back to sleep. Arose again at 7:00 p.m. Made dinner and was back to bed AND ASLEEP by 8:30, at least I think it was 8:30, I missed most of The Biggest Loser, so haven't a clue what happened there. Woke up around 11 p.m., turned off the TV and light, and went back to sleep until 3:30 this morning. WOW!.
I hope I'm up for good at least long enough to take us to the swimming pool, the DMV, and other errands we have on our list. Alan's been kinda under the weather as well. So, I'm wondering if something is going around. Has sleeping sickness attacked Cold Spring? Or is it just something in our home?
It's funny when I'm sleepy and reading, I make up the story and read words that aren't there. Does anyone else do that? I'm reading another Karen Kingsbury book (Rejoice) and yesterday as I was reading, I was putting words in the text that weren't there, nor did they make sense to be there, but I could see those words on the page just as clearly as, or perhaps more clearly than, the actual words on the page.
Oh yeah, the doctor called. My kidneys are fine, just a little small. I told her that was because I'm a small person under all this girth. She laughed. So, that's one perceived problem I don't have to worry about. You know, the doctor always gives you worst case scenario, and she really did give it to me: "You might need to go on dialysis." Yeah, like we all like to hear that, don't we? I've had lower than normal kidney function for over 15 years (since my doctors been testing for that) and it's always the same "lower than normal" number. We move on, and pray all stays as it is and doesn't get worse.
Uh-oh, I'm yawning. Does that mean another round of sleepy time? Coffee isn't helping. Maybe another cup?
For those who like Runnemede Remembered Recipes I put up another recipe this morning.
ttfn
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Home
I can't believe we've been home a whole week and I haven't BLOGged. (Is BLOGged a verb?)
We had a wonderful trip home. No traffic hang-ups, just a few turnarounds because Ms. Garmin wasn't connected. After a couple of wrong turns, it was decided that she needed to be hooked up so we could get home eventually. I knew I had to head North, so we didn't get too lost.
After getting home, I fell AGAIN. Or maybe I passed out. I don't know. All I know is that I was putting the trunk lid down and fell down while doing that -- in the driveway -- on the concrete -- banged my head, but didn't hurt anything else, at least not obviously.
Went to the doctor on Wednesday and found out that my kidney function is lacking -- whatever that means, so had to get an ultra-sound of my kidneys the next day. Results? Don't know yet. I'm not concerned about it, but it does explain my lack of energy.
Then, that night, I almost fell again, but caught myself and in doing so, I hurt my back. Interesting -- when I fall I don't get hurt, but when I don't actually fall, I do get hurt. Hmmm.
I'm glad my phys ed teacher at Triton High School taught me how to fall. I still fall the same way I was taught. Sort of a roll.
The falling part? Well, the next doctor to visit is at the balance center to evaluate my brain, I suppose, to find out why I'm falling. I think it's pill related. But what do I not take? I stopped taking the cholesterol meds and my bad cholesterol shot way up. The good cholesterol is still very good. I don't understand the difference between the two. But am now on a different medication for high bad cholesterol. The only difference I notice after taking that for a couple of days is that I'm sick to my stomach all the time. So, I'm not eating.
That's a good thing, I suppose. After all fasting is Biblical, right? Of course, I'm not being Biblical with the fasting I'm doing, just not eating because of the upset stomach, not to get closer to my Lord. There's something wrong in that last statement. I want to be close to the Lord, and I know there are ways to do that, other than fasting. Like praying without ceasing.
I have a very long prayer list and it gets longer every day, but I don't mind. It gives me something to do while I'm waiting for my meds to kick in. It also gives me something to do in the middle of the night when I can't sleep.
God has been so good to me and Alan. And I thank Him for the blessing of the trip we were able to take. The blessing of spending time with family members I don't see very often. The blessing of supplying all the funds necessary to take the trip. And many other blessings along the way.
I guess that's a ttfn. Be back later.
ttfn
We had a wonderful trip home. No traffic hang-ups, just a few turnarounds because Ms. Garmin wasn't connected. After a couple of wrong turns, it was decided that she needed to be hooked up so we could get home eventually. I knew I had to head North, so we didn't get too lost.
After getting home, I fell AGAIN. Or maybe I passed out. I don't know. All I know is that I was putting the trunk lid down and fell down while doing that -- in the driveway -- on the concrete -- banged my head, but didn't hurt anything else, at least not obviously.
Went to the doctor on Wednesday and found out that my kidney function is lacking -- whatever that means, so had to get an ultra-sound of my kidneys the next day. Results? Don't know yet. I'm not concerned about it, but it does explain my lack of energy.
Then, that night, I almost fell again, but caught myself and in doing so, I hurt my back. Interesting -- when I fall I don't get hurt, but when I don't actually fall, I do get hurt. Hmmm.
I'm glad my phys ed teacher at Triton High School taught me how to fall. I still fall the same way I was taught. Sort of a roll.
The falling part? Well, the next doctor to visit is at the balance center to evaluate my brain, I suppose, to find out why I'm falling. I think it's pill related. But what do I not take? I stopped taking the cholesterol meds and my bad cholesterol shot way up. The good cholesterol is still very good. I don't understand the difference between the two. But am now on a different medication for high bad cholesterol. The only difference I notice after taking that for a couple of days is that I'm sick to my stomach all the time. So, I'm not eating.
That's a good thing, I suppose. After all fasting is Biblical, right? Of course, I'm not being Biblical with the fasting I'm doing, just not eating because of the upset stomach, not to get closer to my Lord. There's something wrong in that last statement. I want to be close to the Lord, and I know there are ways to do that, other than fasting. Like praying without ceasing.
I have a very long prayer list and it gets longer every day, but I don't mind. It gives me something to do while I'm waiting for my meds to kick in. It also gives me something to do in the middle of the night when I can't sleep.
God has been so good to me and Alan. And I thank Him for the blessing of the trip we were able to take. The blessing of spending time with family members I don't see very often. The blessing of supplying all the funds necessary to take the trip. And many other blessings along the way.
I guess that's a ttfn. Be back later.
ttfn
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
More pictures from VA
My cousin Betty, sitting on Betty's Rock along the Skyline Drive.
Alan and I enjoying the warm, windy day on the Skyline Drive.
See how smokey the Smokie Mountains look? It was a clear day, but the distant hills and mountains look like there is smoke hanging over them. Yet, when we looked on the other side of the Drive, there were no "smokey" mountains, just beautifully colored trees. See previous post.
Tomorrow if weather permits we will either go to a Civil war battlefield or to the Walton's family home and museum. We'll see.
Alan and I enjoying the warm, windy day on the Skyline Drive.
See how smokey the Smokie Mountains look? It was a clear day, but the distant hills and mountains look like there is smoke hanging over them. Yet, when we looked on the other side of the Drive, there were no "smokey" mountains, just beautifully colored trees. See previous post.
Tomorrow if weather permits we will either go to a Civil war battlefield or to the Walton's family home and museum. We'll see.ttfn
Fall in the Smokies
We are so enjoying our time here in Virginia. We drove the Skyline Drive yesterday and in most places it was pretty, in some places it was even breathtaking. There has been little rain so many of the trees were just brown. We saw no wildlife to speak of.
I did see a wooly worm that was black/brown/black. What does that mean? Good winter, bad winter? I haven't a clue. I didn't squish it. I just let it get run over by an RV.
Tomorrow we are going to visit a Civil War Battlefield in New Market, VA, unless it rains. If it rains, all bets are off.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Smoky Mountains
We're heading for a few days in the Smoky Mountains and I hope it's prettier there than it is here. Our trees are just turning brown. I suppose it's because we have had very little rain since June.
I am not going alone. My cousin, Betty, is coming with us, and my sister is going to join us.
While I'm gone I have someone in the house. I'm so glad to have this person "house sit" for me. And this time, I am going to pay her to organize my attic and clean out my fridge.
So, after a day with a stomach flu (yesterday) I am packing my kitchen pack, which sorely needed an update. And I have a liquor box with dividers in which to pack the canned goods I'm bringing with us. It's also a good place to put the coffee mugs. This way the cans won't get all over the trunk and the jars won't break, and the EVOO won't leak, and the open pickle jar won't trickle its juices all over the trunk.
I'm also finishing up all laundry and turning off the water to the washing machine. I always do that if I'm going to be gone, even if it's only for a few days.
We are having such beautiful weather here and I hope the weather where we're going is just as nice. The resort seems to be very nice, but pictures and descriptions can often be deceiving -- I remember the place we went in the Poconos recently.
Well, I may post something from the resort since they do have WiFi in the condos. And just in case their server is down -- which happens often when I go to a place that promises WiFi -- I'm taking my G3 stick with me.
So, folks, that's a ttfn. I'll write when I get around to it
I am not going alone. My cousin, Betty, is coming with us, and my sister is going to join us.
While I'm gone I have someone in the house. I'm so glad to have this person "house sit" for me. And this time, I am going to pay her to organize my attic and clean out my fridge.
So, after a day with a stomach flu (yesterday) I am packing my kitchen pack, which sorely needed an update. And I have a liquor box with dividers in which to pack the canned goods I'm bringing with us. It's also a good place to put the coffee mugs. This way the cans won't get all over the trunk and the jars won't break, and the EVOO won't leak, and the open pickle jar won't trickle its juices all over the trunk.
I'm also finishing up all laundry and turning off the water to the washing machine. I always do that if I'm going to be gone, even if it's only for a few days.
We are having such beautiful weather here and I hope the weather where we're going is just as nice. The resort seems to be very nice, but pictures and descriptions can often be deceiving -- I remember the place we went in the Poconos recently.
Well, I may post something from the resort since they do have WiFi in the condos. And just in case their server is down -- which happens often when I go to a place that promises WiFi -- I'm taking my G3 stick with me.
So, folks, that's a ttfn. I'll write when I get around to it
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Goodnight's sleep
I had a wonderful night's sleep (for a change). I fell asleep around 10:30 p.m. which is very early for me, I'm usually still reading at 3 a.m.; and then got up refreshed at 7 a.m. And, here I am, adding another entry into the life of the fat and unfamous. Yes, I mean "un" famous, not famous, not infamous, which connotes recognition for bad behavior, like Bonnie and Clyde. Or is that notorious? Maybe I am infamous.
My PA lost her job and is now part of the statistics that are unrecognized by the dems. It seems that every day another person I know loses their job for whatever reason, mostly outsourcing. My dear son is still without work. McDonald's here he comes, if they'll hire a middle-aged person. The only people I see working at McD's are youngsters, not yet out of high school who can't make change, and people my age who want a few hours and a few more bucks so they can pay the additional medicare up-front cost that we have to pay per month.
That really gripes me. First of all, I didn't want medicare. I have a perfectly good insurance that we have to pay for anyway because medicare doesn't pay for everything. Second, I was not given a choice. I HAD to be part of the medicare system when I hit 65. Third, they require me to take $100 per month out of my meager social security payback in addition to what I already put into the system. And fourth, I have to pay taxes on that social security payback, which is paying a tax on a tax. So at the end of it all, I'm left with barely enough social security to pay for my prescriptions even with the medicare and insurance coverage.
It always messed with my head that my father had to pay a big fat tax bill each quarter on his social security income (he qualified for a lot more than I qualify for), thus paying another tax on the tax that got him the social security in the first place. Not fair, says I, not fair.
Well, enough griping.
It's a beautiful fall day. Heard on the radio that it was 49 degrees in downtown Cincinnati at 6:30 a.m. Yes, I got up at 7, but woke up at 6:30. It's coolish in the house, but the heater is set to kick in at 68 degrees. I haven't heard it go on yet, so I guess our house is pretty tightly sealed with that pink stuff. Why, oh why, can't I think of words any more? What is that pink stuff you put in the attic called, you know, the stuff that the pink panther advertises? Another variety is the stuff you have blown in. Help! I'm going nuts trying to think of the word. Aha! Reading back my BLOG to check on sense and spelling, I recalled the word: insulation.
My ability to think of words is getting worse and worse. Parts of my brain seem to disintegrate on a daily basis. I guess that accounts for why I use small words in my ramblings. I certainly read enough of the longer words and I understand the words I read, but when I try to recall them when I'm writing or speaking, oft times, there is nothing there. My mind is a blank.
Back to the beautiful day. It's supposed to be sunny with a high of around 75 today. Perfect weather. And as my friend, Stacia, put it in her BLOG yesterday, the smell of fall is upon us. And I, too, love the smell of fall, and the look of fall.
ttfn
My PA lost her job and is now part of the statistics that are unrecognized by the dems. It seems that every day another person I know loses their job for whatever reason, mostly outsourcing. My dear son is still without work. McDonald's here he comes, if they'll hire a middle-aged person. The only people I see working at McD's are youngsters, not yet out of high school who can't make change, and people my age who want a few hours and a few more bucks so they can pay the additional medicare up-front cost that we have to pay per month.
That really gripes me. First of all, I didn't want medicare. I have a perfectly good insurance that we have to pay for anyway because medicare doesn't pay for everything. Second, I was not given a choice. I HAD to be part of the medicare system when I hit 65. Third, they require me to take $100 per month out of my meager social security payback in addition to what I already put into the system. And fourth, I have to pay taxes on that social security payback, which is paying a tax on a tax. So at the end of it all, I'm left with barely enough social security to pay for my prescriptions even with the medicare and insurance coverage.
It always messed with my head that my father had to pay a big fat tax bill each quarter on his social security income (he qualified for a lot more than I qualify for), thus paying another tax on the tax that got him the social security in the first place. Not fair, says I, not fair.
Well, enough griping.
It's a beautiful fall day. Heard on the radio that it was 49 degrees in downtown Cincinnati at 6:30 a.m. Yes, I got up at 7, but woke up at 6:30. It's coolish in the house, but the heater is set to kick in at 68 degrees. I haven't heard it go on yet, so I guess our house is pretty tightly sealed with that pink stuff. Why, oh why, can't I think of words any more? What is that pink stuff you put in the attic called, you know, the stuff that the pink panther advertises? Another variety is the stuff you have blown in. Help! I'm going nuts trying to think of the word. Aha! Reading back my BLOG to check on sense and spelling, I recalled the word: insulation.
My ability to think of words is getting worse and worse. Parts of my brain seem to disintegrate on a daily basis. I guess that accounts for why I use small words in my ramblings. I certainly read enough of the longer words and I understand the words I read, but when I try to recall them when I'm writing or speaking, oft times, there is nothing there. My mind is a blank.
Back to the beautiful day. It's supposed to be sunny with a high of around 75 today. Perfect weather. And as my friend, Stacia, put it in her BLOG yesterday, the smell of fall is upon us. And I, too, love the smell of fall, and the look of fall.
ttfn
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Miscellaneous -- journal entry
Alan and I are getting ready to head south for a few days, and getting ready to do that is becoming stressful. I don't know why.
I do know that going to the pool every other day, and sometimes more often than that, is time consuming and tiring. And, yes, I know, it's supposed to be tiring. But getting in the car and driving to the Sports Center is a nuisance. Wish I had a hottub on my porch.
And going to the mail box every day -- usually we go every other day -- but lately because of the influx of Christmas catalogs we've been going every day because the box gets too full if we miss a day at this time of the year. Not that going to the mail box is stressful, because it isn't, but deciding which catalog to keep, now that's stressful! And then deciding what to buy and what not to buy, that's expensive (and stressful).
I have been loving this weather -- cool evenings (bordering on cold), not so hot days (coolish, but not cold), a wonderful time to relax on the sun porch, watching the trees change. It seemed the day we had rain, that the tree outside the library window was changing color minute by minute. That was not the case, of course, but it was fun to pretend.
I don't like that it's dark and getting darker so many more minutes each day. I don't like the dark of winter. So, I am getting a bunch of yellow frew-frews to brighten up the place on those dull, cloudy, grey fall/winter days. The only thing good about winter is snow. Cold is nicer than heat, but snow is pretty and I really don't mind driving in it. Hate the ice, though.
I'm walking better -- less like a baby learning to walk, holding my hands out to my sides to maintain my balance, and more like an adult. It's still difficult from time to time because my right knee wants to lock up and then snap back into place. It doesn't really hurt, but the sound it makes is scary. And the fear of falling is more prevalent when the knee does that. Falling is NOT good. I mean, I have enough padding so that breakage is probably not a problem, but getting up is next to impossible. I am getting better at that, as well.
I am still climbing the steps every day, and getting better at that as well. Still not brave enough to try climbing without holding onto the railing, which means I have aid in getting up the steps. So, when I face a stair step that has no railing, I panic because I know my right knee won't support my weight, and my left knee will hurt.
And, there's the problem I have when I get out of the pool. Although with Alan's help, the pain is avoided. I cannot do it by myself. The step is too steep, and there is a railing.
Furthermore, I'm spending more time on my imaginary knees praying for the upcoming election. It doesn't matter at this point whether the house and senate changes over. The taxes remaining at 2000 levels is not gonna happen. When that sunsets, we're all -- even those of us who don't make anywhere near $250K, will have higher federal taxes. I'm bummed because an income of $40K will net a new tax (higher than currently) of $4,000.
So, no new taxes on the non-rich? That's a lie. Makes me so angry the lies that are bandied about from the Beltway.
Melissa did a great job on my hair. Just a trim, but the style is looking good. I want to get my hair all at one level, since it's straightening out, I would love to have a bob. Never had straight hair before, so the lack of curl is something I'm really enjoying. We figure it has something to do with my medicines. There doesn't seem to be any other reason for the new straight hair.
And I bought Crabtree and Evelyn's body building shampoo, and my hair is really getting thicker. Nice.
Well, gotta go now. That's ttfn, and remember this is a personal journal entry just to keep me informed on what happened on this day in my history. I know I'll forget it tomorrow. LOL
I do know that going to the pool every other day, and sometimes more often than that, is time consuming and tiring. And, yes, I know, it's supposed to be tiring. But getting in the car and driving to the Sports Center is a nuisance. Wish I had a hottub on my porch.
And going to the mail box every day -- usually we go every other day -- but lately because of the influx of Christmas catalogs we've been going every day because the box gets too full if we miss a day at this time of the year. Not that going to the mail box is stressful, because it isn't, but deciding which catalog to keep, now that's stressful! And then deciding what to buy and what not to buy, that's expensive (and stressful).
I have been loving this weather -- cool evenings (bordering on cold), not so hot days (coolish, but not cold), a wonderful time to relax on the sun porch, watching the trees change. It seemed the day we had rain, that the tree outside the library window was changing color minute by minute. That was not the case, of course, but it was fun to pretend.
I don't like that it's dark and getting darker so many more minutes each day. I don't like the dark of winter. So, I am getting a bunch of yellow frew-frews to brighten up the place on those dull, cloudy, grey fall/winter days. The only thing good about winter is snow. Cold is nicer than heat, but snow is pretty and I really don't mind driving in it. Hate the ice, though.
I'm walking better -- less like a baby learning to walk, holding my hands out to my sides to maintain my balance, and more like an adult. It's still difficult from time to time because my right knee wants to lock up and then snap back into place. It doesn't really hurt, but the sound it makes is scary. And the fear of falling is more prevalent when the knee does that. Falling is NOT good. I mean, I have enough padding so that breakage is probably not a problem, but getting up is next to impossible. I am getting better at that, as well.
I am still climbing the steps every day, and getting better at that as well. Still not brave enough to try climbing without holding onto the railing, which means I have aid in getting up the steps. So, when I face a stair step that has no railing, I panic because I know my right knee won't support my weight, and my left knee will hurt.
And, there's the problem I have when I get out of the pool. Although with Alan's help, the pain is avoided. I cannot do it by myself. The step is too steep, and there is a railing.
Furthermore, I'm spending more time on my imaginary knees praying for the upcoming election. It doesn't matter at this point whether the house and senate changes over. The taxes remaining at 2000 levels is not gonna happen. When that sunsets, we're all -- even those of us who don't make anywhere near $250K, will have higher federal taxes. I'm bummed because an income of $40K will net a new tax (higher than currently) of $4,000.
So, no new taxes on the non-rich? That's a lie. Makes me so angry the lies that are bandied about from the Beltway.
Melissa did a great job on my hair. Just a trim, but the style is looking good. I want to get my hair all at one level, since it's straightening out, I would love to have a bob. Never had straight hair before, so the lack of curl is something I'm really enjoying. We figure it has something to do with my medicines. There doesn't seem to be any other reason for the new straight hair.
And I bought Crabtree and Evelyn's body building shampoo, and my hair is really getting thicker. Nice.
Well, gotta go now. That's ttfn, and remember this is a personal journal entry just to keep me informed on what happened on this day in my history. I know I'll forget it tomorrow. LOL
Monday, September 27, 2010
Bummer
A couple of things that I recently experienced.
First, I have a lot of trouble getting out of the pool at the sports club where we signed up so we could get our pool exercise during the winter. It's a great facility. Three pools. One is heated the others are not.
I find I have no trouble getting in and out of the unheated pool, but I'm not really fond of swimming in cool water. The heated pool is lovely, and I can swim very well and not be chilled in that pool. The trouble is...I can't get out of the darned thing. My knees while working well for walking still aren't working well (they hurt bad) for climbing anything higher than a stair step. And this step up is certain higher than a stair step. I have no trouble getting down into the pool, though. Just out.
So, after several attempts, Alan had to help me out, and boy did that hurt. So I decided I wasn't going to go swimming any more. But, I am. I have to. I'm getting so fat.
Question: How does one get fat on salads. I use no dressing, just lemon juice. And since June that's all I've been eating, except for chips and salsa, and I count the chips.
Hmmmm. Must be all those cherries I'm eating. So, again, I find a cure to pain, and it makes me fatter.
Also, after months of little to mostly no pain from fibromyalgia, I went through two days of extreme pain. I cried a lot thinking, oh no, not again. But today (Monday) I'm fine again.
Did anyone else besides me see Hallmark's program on Sunday night, Hachi: A dog's tale? Oh my goodness. I started crying half-way through the movie and couldn't stop. I mean I wasn't just dropping a few tears, I was crying out loud, sobbing actually. It was such a sad, yet, beautiful movie. If you didn't see it, and it if comes on again, watch it. It's a good, clean movie. Just be prepared with a box of Kleenexes.
Well, that's ttfn. I'll be back.
First, I have a lot of trouble getting out of the pool at the sports club where we signed up so we could get our pool exercise during the winter. It's a great facility. Three pools. One is heated the others are not.
I find I have no trouble getting in and out of the unheated pool, but I'm not really fond of swimming in cool water. The heated pool is lovely, and I can swim very well and not be chilled in that pool. The trouble is...I can't get out of the darned thing. My knees while working well for walking still aren't working well (they hurt bad) for climbing anything higher than a stair step. And this step up is certain higher than a stair step. I have no trouble getting down into the pool, though. Just out.
So, after several attempts, Alan had to help me out, and boy did that hurt. So I decided I wasn't going to go swimming any more. But, I am. I have to. I'm getting so fat.
Question: How does one get fat on salads. I use no dressing, just lemon juice. And since June that's all I've been eating, except for chips and salsa, and I count the chips.
Hmmmm. Must be all those cherries I'm eating. So, again, I find a cure to pain, and it makes me fatter.
Also, after months of little to mostly no pain from fibromyalgia, I went through two days of extreme pain. I cried a lot thinking, oh no, not again. But today (Monday) I'm fine again.
Did anyone else besides me see Hallmark's program on Sunday night, Hachi: A dog's tale? Oh my goodness. I started crying half-way through the movie and couldn't stop. I mean I wasn't just dropping a few tears, I was crying out loud, sobbing actually. It was such a sad, yet, beautiful movie. If you didn't see it, and it if comes on again, watch it. It's a good, clean movie. Just be prepared with a box of Kleenexes.
Well, that's ttfn. I'll be back.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Another week has passed
Wow. I didn't realize I hadn't written for a whole week. It's not because I live such a mundane life (which I do). It's because I have had such a busy time.
My dear granddaughter, Rosie, came to spend a couple of days, and we had an absolute blast. Of course, we went shopping. I can't have my grandchildren around without buying them something. At least it seems that way.
Actually, it was her birthday lunch time -- because I'll be on vacation during her actual birth date -- and I had to get her a birthday gift.
I found these great books for 'tweens. They are by Nancy Rue. Actually, all her books are good for that age, going into the teenage years. She writes for Zondervan. The books are about girls. She has a Lucy series, a Sophie series, and a couple more girlie series which I haven't read yet. Kindle has had a few of her books in those series free, so it was a good test for me. And, of course, I got hooked, and had to read the whole series of 12 books on Sophie. The series is about how this 10/11/12-year old girl copes with the "problems" faced by girls that age. So, I got Rosie a few of the books in this series. She had completed the first one before the weekend was over even though we had a very busy weekend.
Most of the time she spent in the very cold swimming pool. I don't know how she could stand it, and she didn't turn blue. I guess all that actual swimming warmed her up. She loved it.
Of course, the pool closing party was this weekend. No cake walk this year. But the food was great, and Rosie won the prize for the last person in the pool. Her prize? Her picture will be in the community paper. She also won one game of bingo. That prize was $5. That made her very happy.
She had a wonderful time playing dress-up. My girly dress-up collection seems to be expanding and the girls enjoy playing with the clothes.
She was such a help to me this time. I told her I wanted her to live with me. We had a really good time, and even Alan got in on it. He played games -- yes, games, plural -- with her for hours. And, he didn't fade, which he has in the past. So that's another indication that he's improving. Praise God!
Today, Monday, we went down to the sports club we joined and went swimming. However, I couldn't get out of the pool with help -- the top step is really too steep, and I ripped my knee again. It's doing better. Ice helped. And, Alan lost his wallet, so we had to cancel all our credit cards, which he did as soon as we got home. Since he didn't have any money in the wallet, other than the hassle of getting a new medicare card, a new license, new credit cards, etc., it wasn't a great loss.
That's it for this episode of "Life in the slow lane."
ttfn
My dear granddaughter, Rosie, came to spend a couple of days, and we had an absolute blast. Of course, we went shopping. I can't have my grandchildren around without buying them something. At least it seems that way.
Actually, it was her birthday lunch time -- because I'll be on vacation during her actual birth date -- and I had to get her a birthday gift.
I found these great books for 'tweens. They are by Nancy Rue. Actually, all her books are good for that age, going into the teenage years. She writes for Zondervan. The books are about girls. She has a Lucy series, a Sophie series, and a couple more girlie series which I haven't read yet. Kindle has had a few of her books in those series free, so it was a good test for me. And, of course, I got hooked, and had to read the whole series of 12 books on Sophie. The series is about how this 10/11/12-year old girl copes with the "problems" faced by girls that age. So, I got Rosie a few of the books in this series. She had completed the first one before the weekend was over even though we had a very busy weekend.
Most of the time she spent in the very cold swimming pool. I don't know how she could stand it, and she didn't turn blue. I guess all that actual swimming warmed her up. She loved it.
Of course, the pool closing party was this weekend. No cake walk this year. But the food was great, and Rosie won the prize for the last person in the pool. Her prize? Her picture will be in the community paper. She also won one game of bingo. That prize was $5. That made her very happy.
She had a wonderful time playing dress-up. My girly dress-up collection seems to be expanding and the girls enjoy playing with the clothes.
She was such a help to me this time. I told her I wanted her to live with me. We had a really good time, and even Alan got in on it. He played games -- yes, games, plural -- with her for hours. And, he didn't fade, which he has in the past. So that's another indication that he's improving. Praise God!
Today, Monday, we went down to the sports club we joined and went swimming. However, I couldn't get out of the pool with help -- the top step is really too steep, and I ripped my knee again. It's doing better. Ice helped. And, Alan lost his wallet, so we had to cancel all our credit cards, which he did as soon as we got home. Since he didn't have any money in the wallet, other than the hassle of getting a new medicare card, a new license, new credit cards, etc., it wasn't a great loss.
That's it for this episode of "Life in the slow lane."
ttfn
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
After the weekend
I know it's a couple of days past the weekend -- a weekend of still learning to walk again.
I didn't realize that I had been walking so differently when I was having the daily arthritis pain. Now that it's mostly gone, I am struggling to stay erect. I realize now that I will have to learn to walk again, sort of.
I don't think I can explain what it's like to be walking relatively pain-free. It's a new experience, since it's been 10 years since the first knee-wrenching experience which started my downward spiral. Oh, there were a couple of months in there when I could walk after a shot to the knee, but nothing substantial. Now, when I get out of a chair I expect pain and when it's not there I'm pleasantly surprised.
I'm still stiff and sore when I get up in the morning, but this afternoon after taking a not-sought-after nap (I fell asleep reading, again), I figured I'd be hurting when I got up, and Alan had borrowed my fall protection (the walker). However, I had no problems and was able to wobble into my office without any mishap. (nor pain).
I'm still enjoying the walks, although last Thursday and Friday when I spent a long time on my feet I thought I had lost all I had gained, but after some rest, the knees were working again, and I can now climb the stairs a little more rapidly that I used to. I still use the railing to pull me from step to step, and I can't, yet, climb a stair step without a "grab bar" of some sort.
Alan had a doctor's appointment yesterday. All is well. And his report from the oncologist is A+. (different doctor from the one he saw yesterday).
Alan is on a diet and I hope he sticks to it. I'm moderating it. He has gained so much weight, no clothing fits. And, I really don't understand why. He certainly isn't gaining weight on what I'm feeding him. He says he's not sneaking anything, so with all the exercise he's been getting this summer, I don't understand the weight gain.
Enough. Dinner awaits.
ttfn
Friday, September 10, 2010
It's Friday
Today is the last day of the work week and tomorrow is September 11. Do you remember where you were? I do. I was working at my desk at Answers in Genesis and Ken Ham called someone at the office to tell them about the first plane crashing into the WTC and for someone to find out what was going on. I called Alan and he told me a second plane had just crashed into the other tower.
Answers in Genesis had one television and the picture wasn't that good, but we sat transfixed and praying and praying for all those lost in that tragedy. I mean we were told it was possibly 50,000 people. Thank God it was not 50,000. But even one person lost to such an heinous act is one too many.
I think we finally shut down except for customer service that day because I mean, who could work? Not I. I admit it. I was and am a news junkie anyway.
Churches were open all over Northern Kentucky, including ours, and the suggested time for gathering (although we gathered early and stayed late) for prayer was something I'll never forget as one after another we prayed for our country and those who had loved ones who worked at WTC. And there were a couple of our own church people who had family who worked there. One of our dear ladies was in NYC for a week-long conference at a hotel only blocks from the center. She had been delayed in getting closer to the hotel near the WTC where her conference was being held. The family members who worked at WTC were also delayed in getting to work that day.
God is good and we rejoiced that our friends and neighbors were saved. But what about those who weren't. Do you ever think about them? I do. Did they know Christ? Where are they spending eternity? How close to being saved from the fire and implosion were they? Did they have children? Spouses? Questions that cannot and won't be answered here on this earth.
A best friend was buried today. His life was spent telling people about Christ and his determination to be like Christ in his daily life was evident by the way he lived. He had compassion and yet he could zing in and let you know where your life needed change, just as Christ did. And I think who was sent to tell those who died on 9/11 about Christ, and did they accept him or slough Him off?
I have to ask: What have I done today to show others that I am a Christ follower and am modeling my life after his example?
ttfn
Answers in Genesis had one television and the picture wasn't that good, but we sat transfixed and praying and praying for all those lost in that tragedy. I mean we were told it was possibly 50,000 people. Thank God it was not 50,000. But even one person lost to such an heinous act is one too many.
I think we finally shut down except for customer service that day because I mean, who could work? Not I. I admit it. I was and am a news junkie anyway.
Churches were open all over Northern Kentucky, including ours, and the suggested time for gathering (although we gathered early and stayed late) for prayer was something I'll never forget as one after another we prayed for our country and those who had loved ones who worked at WTC. And there were a couple of our own church people who had family who worked there. One of our dear ladies was in NYC for a week-long conference at a hotel only blocks from the center. She had been delayed in getting closer to the hotel near the WTC where her conference was being held. The family members who worked at WTC were also delayed in getting to work that day.
God is good and we rejoiced that our friends and neighbors were saved. But what about those who weren't. Do you ever think about them? I do. Did they know Christ? Where are they spending eternity? How close to being saved from the fire and implosion were they? Did they have children? Spouses? Questions that cannot and won't be answered here on this earth.
A best friend was buried today. His life was spent telling people about Christ and his determination to be like Christ in his daily life was evident by the way he lived. He had compassion and yet he could zing in and let you know where your life needed change, just as Christ did. And I think who was sent to tell those who died on 9/11 about Christ, and did they accept him or slough Him off?
I have to ask: What have I done today to show others that I am a Christ follower and am modeling my life after his example?
ttfn
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Lost friends
My last posting was entitled "Friends." This one is entitled, "Lost friends."
It seems to be a "season" of losing friends. One of my bridesmaids, Dawn Anderson, went to be with the Lord on August 19. And on September 7 another friend of Alan's and mine went into the arms of Jesus. His name was Bob Gearhart.
Bob was probably Alan's best Cincinnati friend, since another of his friends moved from our city several years ago. Bob was the person we called when we had a "tool man" problem. He would hurry right on over and fix whatever was in need of his tools.
This aid really started when Alan was diagnosed with cancer. Bob fixed our house so we could get it on the market and sell it. That included reflooring a bathroom, resetting a toilet, building a new flood in the laundry room, tiling the floor, and retiling the kitchen floor. He also did miscellaneous small fix-it jobs in order to get that house fixed.
He was also an aid at our brand new -- should-not-need-repairs -- home only about two miles from his house.
Bob and Alan met often for either breakfast or lunch. Bob was Phil's boss before he retired and before Phil was outsourced.
His wife, Nancy and I, became best buds when we decided to home educate our children. It was a difficult couple of years for us at the beginning of those educating years. And our friendship grew out of that difficulty. Nancy is my partner in prayer.
Alan and I shall miss Bob. He was a quiet man. He loved Jesus and was looking forward to seeing him.
When I heard that Bob had died I envisioned him entering into the presence of his Lord, Jesus Christ, bowing down before him, and then Jesus lifting him up and giving him a hug, and saying to him "Welcome Home, Bob."
ttfn
It seems to be a "season" of losing friends. One of my bridesmaids, Dawn Anderson, went to be with the Lord on August 19. And on September 7 another friend of Alan's and mine went into the arms of Jesus. His name was Bob Gearhart.
Bob was probably Alan's best Cincinnati friend, since another of his friends moved from our city several years ago. Bob was the person we called when we had a "tool man" problem. He would hurry right on over and fix whatever was in need of his tools.
This aid really started when Alan was diagnosed with cancer. Bob fixed our house so we could get it on the market and sell it. That included reflooring a bathroom, resetting a toilet, building a new flood in the laundry room, tiling the floor, and retiling the kitchen floor. He also did miscellaneous small fix-it jobs in order to get that house fixed.
He was also an aid at our brand new -- should-not-need-repairs -- home only about two miles from his house.
Bob and Alan met often for either breakfast or lunch. Bob was Phil's boss before he retired and before Phil was outsourced.
His wife, Nancy and I, became best buds when we decided to home educate our children. It was a difficult couple of years for us at the beginning of those educating years. And our friendship grew out of that difficulty. Nancy is my partner in prayer.
Alan and I shall miss Bob. He was a quiet man. He loved Jesus and was looking forward to seeing him.
When I heard that Bob had died I envisioned him entering into the presence of his Lord, Jesus Christ, bowing down before him, and then Jesus lifting him up and giving him a hug, and saying to him "Welcome Home, Bob."
ttfn
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friends
Yesterday, I invited a friend of mine, a young lady I worked with at Answers in Genesis to go swimming at our community pool, and to stay for lunch. She brought her young son with her. Stacia and Kieran (pictures above) went swimming with Alan and me for a while, then we went back to the house for me for lunch. I enjoyed the conversation at the table, and especially loved watching Kieran.
And I have to say, that all the standing and working on getting lunch on the table was a wonderful experience for me. An experience I haven't enjoyed for several years. Not that I haven't had anyone to lunch for several years. You see, the experience, was that I had no pain in my knees or legs, or back, from 7 a.m. until 1:30 a.m., at which time I rested and read part of a book.
So, folks, I have to admit that the cherries are working for me. I shall continue taking them, praying daily that eating cherries is God's answer to the prayer I've had for almost 20 years.
I had no pain at all ALL DAY YESTERDAY, not just when I was very active. Even in the evening, which is really my worse time of the time, no pain.
You all can't imagine what it's like to be pain free. I wait for the pain, expect the pain, think the pain is going to be there, brace myself for the pain, and it isn't there.
What next? Do I take up salsa dancing? Hip hop? Or do I just enjoy being able to go shopping in a real store instead of on line? Maybe enjoy an evening out with Alan at the symphony?
Alan, too, is doing so well. He, too, is eating cherries. Not because he needs to, he just likes cherries.
ttfn
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Red fruits
It seems that this summer has been a summer of fruits (and veggies).
I was so pleased to see that the Food Network Channel did an Iron Chef program where the secret ingredient was broccoli (not a red fruit, I know that) and they came up with some really delicious ways to prepare that wonderful veggie that is supposed to be a great food to eat so you don't get cancer.
But on to red fruits. I have this summer enjoyed so much the tomatoes (a red fruit, you'll never convince me that tomatoes are veggies) and have enjoyed a salad every day for the past few weeks, either with lettuce or Martha's (and my mama Rose's) tomato salad.
Tonight my dinner will be tomato salad and I have a three-inch chunk of French bread to dip in the juices. Yummy! Alan will have a hoagie, that I will prepare for him. I could enjoy a hoagie, but the tomato dish is really more appealing to me.
And then there are all those cherries. I do believe they are working. I got out of the pool today without pain -- second day in a row. I couldn't believe it. I psych myself up for that pain, and then it isn't there. It's been wonderful. I'll keep eating my 8 cherries per day and see if it really does work.
So far, so good. I can't attribute the lack of pain in my knees to anything else of late except the cherries. When I swim it hurts my knees, but I do it anyway, and then my knee joints pop and I have to stop (swimming), but I still stay in the water and float.
Alan and I are feeling so very good (and well). Is it the swimming? Is it the cherries? Is it the fresh tomatoes, right from the farm? Speaking of which, my favorite farmer down at Lunken told me that he'll have tomatoes clear up until the first frost.
I pray the frost doesn't come until December 24. I want to enjoy tomatoes for a long, long time. And, they've been available since early July, so I have been enjoying them for over two months now.
ttfn
I was so pleased to see that the Food Network Channel did an Iron Chef program where the secret ingredient was broccoli (not a red fruit, I know that) and they came up with some really delicious ways to prepare that wonderful veggie that is supposed to be a great food to eat so you don't get cancer.
But on to red fruits. I have this summer enjoyed so much the tomatoes (a red fruit, you'll never convince me that tomatoes are veggies) and have enjoyed a salad every day for the past few weeks, either with lettuce or Martha's (and my mama Rose's) tomato salad.
Tonight my dinner will be tomato salad and I have a three-inch chunk of French bread to dip in the juices. Yummy! Alan will have a hoagie, that I will prepare for him. I could enjoy a hoagie, but the tomato dish is really more appealing to me.
And then there are all those cherries. I do believe they are working. I got out of the pool today without pain -- second day in a row. I couldn't believe it. I psych myself up for that pain, and then it isn't there. It's been wonderful. I'll keep eating my 8 cherries per day and see if it really does work.
So far, so good. I can't attribute the lack of pain in my knees to anything else of late except the cherries. When I swim it hurts my knees, but I do it anyway, and then my knee joints pop and I have to stop (swimming), but I still stay in the water and float.
Alan and I are feeling so very good (and well). Is it the swimming? Is it the cherries? Is it the fresh tomatoes, right from the farm? Speaking of which, my favorite farmer down at Lunken told me that he'll have tomatoes clear up until the first frost.
I pray the frost doesn't come until December 24. I want to enjoy tomatoes for a long, long time. And, they've been available since early July, so I have been enjoying them for over two months now.
ttfn
Sunday, August 29, 2010
More about cherries
Earlier this week I went to a largish produce store not far from where we used to live over on the east side of Cincinnati. I went specifically to that store because they carry items that you would normally find in a specialty store. I mean they carry the normal produce items at really good prices (compared to Krogers or even Meijers), but they have anything Italian I would want to find, and anything oriental I would need. They don't carry much Mexican items, though.
Specifically, I went to the store to get peanut oil because I read that peanut oil rubbed into the arthritic joints is a help to reduce pain and increase the lubricant in the joint so it doesn't hurt so much, or at all. And I also wanted to get some cherries, which I know are not in season, but I thought they might have them. They didn't. No cherries, not even dried cherries, and they do carry a large selection of dried fruits. And, they didn't have peanut oil either.
So, when my friend and I went to Krogers this week we found both peanut oil and dried cherries and canned cherries.
Are the cherries helping? I think so. I've cut back on pain meds to only taking them in the morning. Of course when I get up in the morning it is really hard to get moving, more so that normal, but by the time I rub in that peanut oil and take those cherries and get my normal meds taken, I'm ready to go. The walker is no longer my constant companion.
I'm still afraid to walk to the pool, but I am able to walk up the stairs at our house, something I have decided I need to do at least once a day. So, I ride down in the elevator, and climb up the stairs. I don't go down the stairs because I've been ordered to stay away from them because I tend to fall a lot, so to avoid any accidents, I'm climbing up. I guess I could fall backwards, but so far all my falls have been forward.
I tripped into the elevator the other day, but I found out that my knees were able to support my weight -- a first for 10 years -- and I was able to crawl to a place where I could grab onto something to get myself off the floor. I was also rejoice that I have all those extra pounds -- padding is good when you fall down.
At this rate, the rate at which the peanut oil and the cherries seem to be help with the arthritis pain, I will definitely be able to go to Italy next year.
ttfn
Specifically, I went to the store to get peanut oil because I read that peanut oil rubbed into the arthritic joints is a help to reduce pain and increase the lubricant in the joint so it doesn't hurt so much, or at all. And I also wanted to get some cherries, which I know are not in season, but I thought they might have them. They didn't. No cherries, not even dried cherries, and they do carry a large selection of dried fruits. And, they didn't have peanut oil either.
So, when my friend and I went to Krogers this week we found both peanut oil and dried cherries and canned cherries.
Are the cherries helping? I think so. I've cut back on pain meds to only taking them in the morning. Of course when I get up in the morning it is really hard to get moving, more so that normal, but by the time I rub in that peanut oil and take those cherries and get my normal meds taken, I'm ready to go. The walker is no longer my constant companion.
I'm still afraid to walk to the pool, but I am able to walk up the stairs at our house, something I have decided I need to do at least once a day. So, I ride down in the elevator, and climb up the stairs. I don't go down the stairs because I've been ordered to stay away from them because I tend to fall a lot, so to avoid any accidents, I'm climbing up. I guess I could fall backwards, but so far all my falls have been forward.
I tripped into the elevator the other day, but I found out that my knees were able to support my weight -- a first for 10 years -- and I was able to crawl to a place where I could grab onto something to get myself off the floor. I was also rejoice that I have all those extra pounds -- padding is good when you fall down.
At this rate, the rate at which the peanut oil and the cherries seem to be help with the arthritis pain, I will definitely be able to go to Italy next year.
ttfn
Thursday, August 26, 2010
I suddently realized something
Last night, Alan came dashing into the bedroom, heading toward the bathroom, and said, "I need your help." I asked, "In what way?" He said, "I cut myself really bad."
Okay. I let that process into my brain. I saw him holding his hand and then he was running water into the sink holding his hand. I thought we were out of band aids and I was looking for something to wrap around this horrible cut. I asked him how long the cut was and he told me it was about two inches long on his finger.
I grabbed a paper towel and wrapped his finger and squeezed it, at which time he told me it hurt and to stop squeezing. I was trying to stop the bleeding on this two-inch cut on his finger. One small squeeze and the bleeding stopped and I was able to take some time to find the band aids.
Okay, so the cut was only about 1/2 inch and after I stopped the bleeding (and he told me he'd probably need stitches), I couldn't even find the cut about which to wind the band aid.
I mean, I've had paper cuts that were worse than that cut. I do have to allow that it did bleed a bit in the sink while he was running water over it. But after I wrapped it with a paper towel and gave it a squeeze, it was really hard to find because it closed right up. And there was no way he needed stitches.
I think he over reacted, but he does tend to bleed a bit when he gets a cut. Too bad they can't get him to bleed that much when they do a blood draw, which is part and parcel of his life. In fact, we have to head over to the lab today to get another one. Poor guy.
I guess until you've been poked and prodded as much as he has, as his wife, I really should sympathize more when he gets a small 1/2 inch cut on his finger.
ttfn
Okay. I let that process into my brain. I saw him holding his hand and then he was running water into the sink holding his hand. I thought we were out of band aids and I was looking for something to wrap around this horrible cut. I asked him how long the cut was and he told me it was about two inches long on his finger.
I grabbed a paper towel and wrapped his finger and squeezed it, at which time he told me it hurt and to stop squeezing. I was trying to stop the bleeding on this two-inch cut on his finger. One small squeeze and the bleeding stopped and I was able to take some time to find the band aids.
Okay, so the cut was only about 1/2 inch and after I stopped the bleeding (and he told me he'd probably need stitches), I couldn't even find the cut about which to wind the band aid.
I mean, I've had paper cuts that were worse than that cut. I do have to allow that it did bleed a bit in the sink while he was running water over it. But after I wrapped it with a paper towel and gave it a squeeze, it was really hard to find because it closed right up. And there was no way he needed stitches.
I think he over reacted, but he does tend to bleed a bit when he gets a cut. Too bad they can't get him to bleed that much when they do a blood draw, which is part and parcel of his life. In fact, we have to head over to the lab today to get another one. Poor guy.
I guess until you've been poked and prodded as much as he has, as his wife, I really should sympathize more when he gets a small 1/2 inch cut on his finger.
ttfn
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Cherries
Well, the cherries seem to be helping me with arthritis pain. At least I'm crediting the cherries with the less-pain-in-the-knees days I've been having.
However, I have been feeling kinda punk at times. All of a sudden I feel like I've been drained of all blood. I don't ache or hurt anywhere I just feel drained and have to sit down.
Yesterday I was supposed to pick up my grandchildren (Rosie and David) for a swim, but just couldn't. And I was supposed to go to Macy's to take advantage of their back-to-school savings sale and get some clothing for Phil's children. Just couldn't do it.
I'm heading out early this morning, though, to Macy's, to do that shopping. I hope I get there before the rush. I don't like to shop in crowds.
Seems I fell asleep (again) last night with the TV on and the light on. Hmmm. I woke up momentarily and told Alan I was awake, and he then informed me that I had been sleeping and he had turned off the TV. I'm glad he did that because I know if I had waked up and found the TV on,. I would have had trouble getting back to sleep. As it was, I zonked out right away again. I'm thinking I fell asleep around 8:30 p.m. I got up at 5:30 a.m. and went right to my computer to catch up on e-mails, etc.
My friend, a bridesmaid of mine, Dawn Anderson went to be with the Lord yesterday. I saw her and spent a bit of time with her when I went home to Runnemede. Obviously, not enough time. If I had know that in three months she would be gone from this earth, I would have taken more time with her. As it was I was flitting from person to person.
I regret that on that trip I didn't take more time with many of the people that I grew up with. I feel bad that I was "flitting", but I wanted to see everyone and at least say "Hello" to each and every person who was at the service and then at the dinner.
So, I'm getting myself ready to go to Macy's. I just hope my knees hold up. I've been neglecting my walker for about a week now and so I'm prepared for this trip.
ttfn
However, I have been feeling kinda punk at times. All of a sudden I feel like I've been drained of all blood. I don't ache or hurt anywhere I just feel drained and have to sit down.
Yesterday I was supposed to pick up my grandchildren (Rosie and David) for a swim, but just couldn't. And I was supposed to go to Macy's to take advantage of their back-to-school savings sale and get some clothing for Phil's children. Just couldn't do it.
I'm heading out early this morning, though, to Macy's, to do that shopping. I hope I get there before the rush. I don't like to shop in crowds.
Seems I fell asleep (again) last night with the TV on and the light on. Hmmm. I woke up momentarily and told Alan I was awake, and he then informed me that I had been sleeping and he had turned off the TV. I'm glad he did that because I know if I had waked up and found the TV on,. I would have had trouble getting back to sleep. As it was, I zonked out right away again. I'm thinking I fell asleep around 8:30 p.m. I got up at 5:30 a.m. and went right to my computer to catch up on e-mails, etc.
My friend, a bridesmaid of mine, Dawn Anderson went to be with the Lord yesterday. I saw her and spent a bit of time with her when I went home to Runnemede. Obviously, not enough time. If I had know that in three months she would be gone from this earth, I would have taken more time with her. As it was I was flitting from person to person.
I regret that on that trip I didn't take more time with many of the people that I grew up with. I feel bad that I was "flitting", but I wanted to see everyone and at least say "Hello" to each and every person who was at the service and then at the dinner.
So, I'm getting myself ready to go to Macy's. I just hope my knees hold up. I've been neglecting my walker for about a week now and so I'm prepared for this trip.
ttfn
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Yikes!
I didn't realize that school was starting next week. I am supposed to get some clothing for my son's children (he's still out of work) and I thought I had more time. Fortunately, Macy's is having a 70 percent off clearance sale this Friday and Saturday. I've been to this sale before, and I got a bag of clothes for my grandchildren for under $25. My savings on this bag, according to Macy's was $295. So, I hope I can do as well this time.
All four of Phil's children are going back to school, so all four need some new clothes. They've grown a bit over the summer and their old clothing is, well, it's old.
I have to agree with my niece, Lori, who posted a really funny commentary on why a child needs new clothes for the first day of school.
I always had a new outfit for the first day of school. Of course, I only have two or three things to wear, and one Sunday outfit, two pairs of shoes, one for school (no sneakers back then), and one for church (I always opted for patent leather Mary Janes for church). I also always had my feet x-rayed to see if the shoes fit properly. Mom always got them a size bigger then stuffed cotton in the toes so they would fit.
I recently heard on Modern Marvels on the History Channel that those x-ray machines we used for our feet are thought to be the cause of all kinds of cancer. Who knew? They didn't way what kind(s) of cancer we are going to get from those x-rays, and I've never heard of foot cancer. Maybe it was just another scare tactic, you know, like that flu we all were supposed to get last year if we didn't get a flu shot -- H1N1? I didn't get a flu shot and I didn't get the flu, nor did Alan. I eat a lot of lemons. They seem to ward off throat/nose things. I did get bronchitis, but not the flu.
Ah, well. Alan wants to go on another cruise since cruising prices are so low right now. We could even get a suite for less than we paid for a balcony room last time. And Norwegian is offering cruises with the gratuities paid. No tipping fees, which run $70 per person for the week. Not a whole lot, when you think about what they tip the various maids/stewards, etc. I always tip extra to those who help us with our mobility problems. And they really deserve the tips.
So, I'm searching for a cruise, maybe we'll go after our trip to Virginia in October. You know, a week at a condo at a ski resort that doesn't have any snow in October, but the lift still works, and then head out to Charleston or up to Baltimore for a cruise to somewhere. The prices can't be beat right now. And this is Alan's idea not mine.
I swore that I would never take him anywhere ever again, because our last cruise was so miserable for him. I did great, but he didn't. And now that he's doing so well, I'm sort of shy of pushing his wellness to the limit. I like him in this almost active mode he's been in all summer.
We're also considering getting a membership at the sports center down the hill. The price for seniors is really good, and his pool exercising does help.
Tomorrow, I'll be picking up a couple of my grandchildren to bring them over to go swimming. I hope they have a good time.l
Until the next time, ttfn.
All four of Phil's children are going back to school, so all four need some new clothes. They've grown a bit over the summer and their old clothing is, well, it's old.
I have to agree with my niece, Lori, who posted a really funny commentary on why a child needs new clothes for the first day of school.
I always had a new outfit for the first day of school. Of course, I only have two or three things to wear, and one Sunday outfit, two pairs of shoes, one for school (no sneakers back then), and one for church (I always opted for patent leather Mary Janes for church). I also always had my feet x-rayed to see if the shoes fit properly. Mom always got them a size bigger then stuffed cotton in the toes so they would fit.
I recently heard on Modern Marvels on the History Channel that those x-ray machines we used for our feet are thought to be the cause of all kinds of cancer. Who knew? They didn't way what kind(s) of cancer we are going to get from those x-rays, and I've never heard of foot cancer. Maybe it was just another scare tactic, you know, like that flu we all were supposed to get last year if we didn't get a flu shot -- H1N1? I didn't get a flu shot and I didn't get the flu, nor did Alan. I eat a lot of lemons. They seem to ward off throat/nose things. I did get bronchitis, but not the flu.
Ah, well. Alan wants to go on another cruise since cruising prices are so low right now. We could even get a suite for less than we paid for a balcony room last time. And Norwegian is offering cruises with the gratuities paid. No tipping fees, which run $70 per person for the week. Not a whole lot, when you think about what they tip the various maids/stewards, etc. I always tip extra to those who help us with our mobility problems. And they really deserve the tips.
So, I'm searching for a cruise, maybe we'll go after our trip to Virginia in October. You know, a week at a condo at a ski resort that doesn't have any snow in October, but the lift still works, and then head out to Charleston or up to Baltimore for a cruise to somewhere. The prices can't be beat right now. And this is Alan's idea not mine.
I swore that I would never take him anywhere ever again, because our last cruise was so miserable for him. I did great, but he didn't. And now that he's doing so well, I'm sort of shy of pushing his wellness to the limit. I like him in this almost active mode he's been in all summer.
We're also considering getting a membership at the sports center down the hill. The price for seniors is really good, and his pool exercising does help.
Tomorrow, I'll be picking up a couple of my grandchildren to bring them over to go swimming. I hope they have a good time.l
Until the next time, ttfn.
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